A mundane request for a water cup escalated into a terrifying scene of gunfire and violence at a local Taco Bell, leaving a 20-year-old employee behind bars and three customers shaken.
D’Mari Jy’Quan Patterson was arrested Monday, April 27, and now faces three counts of aggravated assault with a firearm following a confrontation that transformed a fast-food lobby into a crime scene. According to court documents, the fuse was lit by something as trivial as a soda fountain selection.
From Verbal Spat to Volley of Fire
The incident began when two women entered the restaurant and approached the counter. Patterson allegedly handed over a water cup, but tension flared the moment one of the customers opted to fill it with soda instead of water. What started as a verbal disagreement quickly turned toxic.
As a third customer entered the fray, witnesses say the argument reached a breaking point. Cellphone footage captured by a bystander allegedly shows Patterson taunting the group, repeatedly shouting, “Do something! Do something! Do something!”
According to the probable cause affidavit, a fellow employee intervened, attempting to physically pull Patterson away from the counter and urging the customers to leave the premises. It was at this moment that the situation took a lethal turn: investigators note that the distinct, mechanical sound of a firearm’s slide being racked is “clearly audible” on the recording.
A Narrow Escape
The violence allegedly turned physical when Patterson swung his arm, striking one of the victims. In the ensuing melee, a single shot was fired inside the restaurant. Amid the chaos, a second victim was reportedly “pistol-whipped” so severely she fell to the floor.
As the victims attempted to flee, the terror followed them outside. The third customer, caught in a desperate attempt to exit, found herself trapped between the restaurant’s heavy door and an exterior wall. With her back against the brick and no means of escape, Patterson allegedly approached her and opened fire. The bullet narrowly missed her, shattering a restaurant window before Patterson retreated back inside.
The three victims managed to scramble into a vehicle and drive themselves to JFK North Medical Center. Fortunately, two of the customers were treated for only minor injuries.
Conflicting Stories and the “Self-Defense” Claim
Patterson was the one who initially reached out to authorities, attempting to frame the narrative as an act of self-defense. He claimed the customers were armed and had “rushed” him and a coworker, admitting he “pulled [his] gun and fired shots in the air” out of fear.
However, investigators say the evidence tells a different story. According to the affidavit, authorities found zero evidence to support Patterson’s claim of being a victim. Instead, they allege the footage and forensic evidence demonstrate he was an “active participant” who “intentionally and unlawfully” threatened the victims. The report concludes that his decision to brandish and discharge the weapon created a “well-founded fear” that imminent violence was unavoidable.
After his initial call to police, Patterson’s attorney advised him to cease all statements.
Patterson made his first court appearance on Tuesday, April 28, where a judge ordered him to remain in custody. He is scheduled to return to the dock on May 27 as the Florida State Attorney’s Office continues its investigation into the workplace shooting that nearly turned fatal over a cup of soda.