A Florida woman recently found herself in a perilous situation, forced to protect her family during a late-night fast food outing that took a dangerous turn. The incident unfolded at a McDonald’s drive-thru in Miami Gardens, a suburb located approximately 16 miles north of downtown Miami.

According to court records from Miami-Dade County, 19-year-old Anthony Markeith Elliott III has been charged with aggravated assault with a firearm. The unsettling episode took place in the early hours of November 2, sparking a police investigation led by the Miami Gardens Police Department.

The ordeal began as an ordinary late-night trip to satisfy a craving. However, as time dragged on at the drive-thru, frustration mounted. The Miami Gardens Police Department detailed the sequence of events in an arrest affidavit, noting that the family had been waiting for their food for an extended period. Tensions rose when the cashier, identified as Elliott, allegedly began to argue with the customers.

The situation escalated quickly. “The victims stated that they exchanged words with the defendant, who then threatened to come outside,” the affidavit mentions. True to his word, Elliott reportedly exited the establishment and revealed a firearm tucked into his waistband, further intensifying the threat.

In an interview with Miami-based TV station WPLG, the woman recounted the frightening encounter, shedding light on the chaotic moments that unfolded as she prepared to defend her children against the gun-toting employee.

The victim herself discussed how the night slowly unfolded before the fracas in comments to Miami-based independent TV station WPLG.

Chayton Timmons told the TV station they were waiting “over an hour” for the pre-ordered food – leading to the argument with, and allegedly stubborn attitude from, the eventual defendant.

“We looking at each other, me and my goddaughter looking at each other, like, ‘Why are you upset?’ And he was like, ‘I don’t have to give you nothing,’” Timmons said. “He was like, ‘What you said (expletive)? What you said (expletive)?’ And we were like, ‘Are you serious?’ Like, what’s really going on? So he clutched at his waist.”

That clutching motion did not deter the alleged victims, however it did lead to a hold-up of sorts, according to law enforcement.

“They continued arguing with him and then he approached the car and pulled the gun from his waistband and pointed it at them in the car,” the affidavit goes on. “They described the handgun as a silver handgun with a black grip.”

The woman recounted her quick thinking in response to the threat.

“I got on the phone with the cops,” Timmons told WPLG. “I said, ‘This is going to go one of two ways, Miami Gardens Police Department: Y’all need to get here to McDonald’s, because somebody finna die.’”

Timmons, for her part, previously survived a shooting – showing her wounded leg to local WPLG reporter Rosh Lowe.

“He has a death wish,” Timmons went on, referring to the cashier. “He must have a death wish. This has got to be a suicide. Because it’s no way I’m finna allow you to do anything bodily harm to mine.”

The reporter then interjected: “All over McNuggets!”

Timmons offered a slight clarification: “All over McChicken.”

She then covered her face with her hand as if to laugh at the absurdity of the situation: “He must want to have a McFuneral to put my kids in harm’s way and that’s a problem for me. I’m not that type of girl, I’m not that type of woman and I’m not the type of parent.”

Police say there was no doubt about events that night.

“When we confronted the defendant, he admitted to pulling out the firearm and advised us where he had stored it inside the store,” the affidavit continues. “The gun matched the description given to us by the victims. The witness, who is the store manager, also advised us what had occurred, and all three stories matched.”

Elliott posted $1,000 bond on Tuesday.