A heated spat stemming from overcooked biscuits at a North Carolina Popeyes escalated into a near tragedy on May 11, when a restaurant manager allegedly pulled a gun on a colleague. The Popeyes manager, 22-year-old Rodney Wood, faces an attempted first-degree murder charge after shooting a fellow worker over “burnt biscuits”, according to an affidavit.
He allegedly fired two shots at close range during what began as a workplace argument in Charlotte. The drama unfolded just before 6 p.m. at the Popeyes on South Boulevard near Carolina Pavilion Drive.
According to reports, a customer inside the restaurant recalled seeing Wood and another employee exchange harsh words about biscuits that were burnt. Witnesses say both men stormed outside, where tempers flared into a physical scuffle. It was then, they allege, that Wood drew a handgun.
Footage recovered by detectives reportedly shows Wood discharging his weapon twice. According to authorities, the shots were fired at point-blank range, striking the victim in the groin and again in the chest. Reports say the injuries were life-threatening, and the victim had to undergo an emergency operation after being rushed to the Atrium Health Main hospital.
Wood fled the scene before officers arrived. Police later discovered the suspect near the scene and apprehended him without further incident. He was subsequently questioned by the police, during which he told officers that the victim was also a manager at Popeyes, specifically one he had issues with in the past. The previous issues led to him requesting a transfer so he would not have to work with said colleague anymore.
On the day of the incident, his colleague reportedly initiated physical violence outside; Wood claimed that the co-worker punched him thrice in the face when he confronted him outside. Wood said he subsequently discharged his gun, intending to fire “warning shots”, not lethal ones.
According to the court document, Wood tried to explain his behaviour as self-defence, but the affidavit notes he offered no credible or imminent threat that would legally justify using deadly force.
