Drive-thru dispute over fries escalates to gunfire! Find out the shocking details of this unexpected confrontation!
In a shocking incident at a Jack in the Box drive-thru in Houston, a seemingly simple order of curly fries escalated into a dangerous confrontation, ending with an employee firing a gun at a customer. The incident, which occurred in March 2021, began when Anthony Ramos pulled into the drive-thru with his wife and six-year-old child in the vehicle. Ramos, expecting to receive the curly fries he ordered, was taken aback when he didn’t find them in the bag. He communicated this to the employee at the window, and this is where the situation began to spiral out of control.
Ramos, seeking to resolve the issue, expressed his willingness to pay for the fries, but the employee, identified as Alonia Ford, was unwilling to accommodate his request. The disagreement intensified, leading to Ford throwing ketchup packets at Ramos, who retaliated by throwing his food at her. The situation reached a boiling point when Ford pulled out a gun and aimed it at Ramos’s vehicle, firing at least one round. Fortunately, the video obtained by Ramos’s attorney showed that no one was hurt, and Ramos’s car wasn’t struck. It was a close call, with Ramos attributing his luck to his quick reaction and the gun jamming initially.
The repercussions of this incident have been long-lasting for Ramos and his family, who are still shaken by the experience, avoiding drive-thrus and grappling with the reality of such an unexpected and violent encounter. Ford, who no longer works at Jack in the Box, pleaded guilty to deadly conduct, a misdemeanor, and served her sentence of a year of deferred adjudication. She claimed that Ramos yelled racial slurs at her, a claim he denies, and believes she is owed an apology by Ramos just as much as she owes one to him.
Ramos has since filed a civil lawsuit against Ford and Jack in the Box, seeking a change in hiring practices and compensation. Both Ford and Jack in the Box deny the allegations in the lawsuit. Ramos hopes for a reassessment in hiring practices, suggesting that individuals with a history of threats should be placed in roles that do not involve interacting with the public, to prevent such incidents and ensure the safety of customers and restaurant workers.
Jack in the Box, while refraining from commenting on ongoing litigation, has expressed awareness of the situation involving an employee at one of their independent franchisees and emphasized their commitment to maintaining a safe environment for customers and restaurant workers.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the unforeseen dangers that can arise in everyday situations and underscores the importance of maintaining calm and resolving disputes amicably. It also highlights the need for businesses to implement stringent hiring practices and foster a safe and harmonious environment for both employees and customers.