CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV/Gray News) – A Popeyes manager was accused of shooting his co-worker over “burnt biscuits” last week, according to an affidavit from law enforcement in North Carolina.
Rodney Wood, 22, was arrested and charged with attempted first-degree murder.
The shooting happened at around 6 p.m. on May 11 at the Popeyes restaurant on South Boulevard near Carolina Pavilion Drive.
A witness, who was a customer at the time of the shooting, told police the altercation stemmed from an argument between Wood and another employee because of overcooked biscuits.
The witness reported that both went outside after one “challenged” the other, which led to a physical fight.
During the fight, Wood allegedly pulled a gun and fired two rounds.
Court documents state that a video taken from the scene shows “[Wood] discharging his firearm twice at point-blank range.”
Both shots hit Wood’s co-worker; one in the groin and the other in the chest. That employee was rushed to Atrium Health Main in life-threatening condition with critical injuries. He underwent emergency surgery.
When officers arrived at the restaurant, Wood was gone.
According to other witnesses, Wood ran away, but police found and apprehended him within the same shopping center.
Wood claimed the co-worker he allegedly shot was also a manager, police said.
Wood claimed to police that once he and the other manager stepped outside, he was punched in the face three times. He then allegedly fired two “warning shots” that were not intended to kill.
Wood attempted to justify his actions, but the affidavit says “he failed to articulate a credible, imminent threat of deadly force necessary to support a self-defense claim under state law.”
The two allegedly had conflicts in the past which caused Wood to request a transfer to avoid working with the other employee.
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