Checkers Employee Allegedly Kills Customer During Drive-Thru Order Dispute Involving Extra Mayo Packets: Police

Elijah Travis Mackey was charged with first-degree murder after police claim he fatally shot a customer following a dispute over a drive-thru order at a Kissimmee, Fla., Checkers location on May 21
After the customer, Wesley Robertson, complained about his order and insulted Mackey, the Checkers employee shot him in the chest, police said
“The actions of this one employee do not reflect the values of the thousands of our hardworking employees across the country,” a spokesperson for Checkers said
A Checkers employee in Florida has been charged with first-degree murder after being accused of shooting a customer during a drive-thru altercation.

The incident allegedly occurred on the evening of Wednesday, May 21, at a Checkers drive-thru in Kissimmee, Fla., after a customer, who police identified as Wesley Robertson, began complaining about his order, per an arrest affidavit viewed by PEOPLE.

At around 10:10 p.m. local time, Checkers employee Elijah Travis Mackey, 23, engaged in a “verbal dispute” with Robertson over his drive-thru order at the fast food spot, per the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO). The dispute later escalated, ending with Mackey allegedly fatally shooting Robertson.

An eyewitness told authorities that Robertson began complaining about his order to a female employee at the drive-thru food pickup window and requested to speak with a manager several times, per the affidavit.

While the customer was still at the window, a male Checkers employee, later identified as Mackey, came around the side of the restaurant and began arguing with Robertson, who then insulted him, calling him either a “bitch” or “p—-,” according to the bystander.

The employee then allegedly pulled a small handgun out of his waistband and shot the customer in the chest, authorities said.

A second eyewitness provided a similar account, stating that they saw Robertson ask employees to speak to the manager.

The customer was “possibly asking for mayonnaise packets” when Mackey came outside and stated, “Oh, I am p—-,” and shot the customer in the chest, the witness told detectives.

Footage from the Checkers location shows Mackey climbing out of the drive-thru window and walking to the front of the business, where the victim was, according to the affidavit. Footage also showed Robertson falling to the ground.

Robertson was subsequently transported to a nearby hospital, Osceola Regional Medical Center, where he succumbed to his injuries, police said.

Mackey, meanwhile, fled the scene on foot, according to both witnesses. Authorities later found him hiding under a stairwell at a nearby hotel.

As he was being handcuffed, Mackey allegedly told deputies, “I have a gun on me,” and a weapon was later recovered on his person, per the affidavit.

During his arrest, the Kissimmee native also appeared to inquire about Robertson’s status, allegedly asking deputies, “Is dude okay?” several times, the affidavit said.

On Thursday, May 22, the day after the incident, the OCSO’s Homicide Unit obtained an arrest warrant for Mackey.

Mackey was subsequently charged with first-degree premeditated murder and booked into the Osceola County Jail. He then made his first appearance in court on Friday, May 23.

Mackey currently remains behind bars. It is not clear if he has legal representation to comment on his behalf.

In a statement to PEOPLE, a spokesperson for Checkers said, “We are shocked and saddened by the incident that occurred last night at our restaurant in Kissimmee, Florida.”

“The actions of this one employee do not reflect the values of the thousands of our hardworking employees across the country,” the spokesperson continued. “We are working closely with the police in their investigation, and we are sending our thoughts and prayers to the guest’s family.”