Boy charged with attempted murder in McDonald's shooting

August 2024 · 2 minute read

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A 15-year-old boy allegedly opened fire on a McDonald’s employee during a robbery attempt outside the Florida fast food restaurant early Thursday, cops said.

Demarion Wilson, of Mulberry, approached the fast food worker at about 1:30 a.m. outside the McDonald’s at 1805 Shepherd Road in Lakeland and fired off three shots, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.

The teen allegedly pointed a 9mm Glock he stole from his stepfather at the frightened employee.

The worker tried to tell the would-be robber that he only had $30 on him and that the money inside the restaurant was already secured and inaccessible.

During the attempted mugging, the manager of the store pulled up to the parking lot with her husband.

The employee then pleaded for help, asking the manager to call 911.

Police said that’s when Wilson fired three times, with one bullet striking the vehicle before he ran off. Luckily, no one was injured by the gunshots.

Demarion Wilson, 15, has been charged with attempted murder after allegedly shooting at a McDonald’s employees.

Images of the manager’s car show a bullet hole in the passenger side door, where she was sitting.

Deputies immediately rushed to the scene, where they found Wilson carrying the gun while hiding in the bushes behind a Publix grocery store.

“It’s aggravating that a 15-year-old would be out in the middle of the night robbing people at gunpoint and shooting at people,” Sheriff Grady Judd said in a statement. “It’s completely unacceptable, so we’re going to meet with the State Attorney’s Office about charging this suspect as an adult.

The shooting broke out at the McDonald’s at 1805 Shepherd Road in Lakeland, Florida. Google Maps

“He’s not a child. He’s under the age of 18 but doing a very hardcore, very dangerous series of crimes. We need juveniles to realize that we’re not going to tolerate such abhorrent, dangerous behavior,” he added.

Judd ultimately said the incident was a result of parents and the criminal justice system being too lenient on young criminals.

He also condemned Wilson’s stepfather for keeping his handgun inside the glove compartment of his unlocked vehicle where the teen had easy access to the weapon.

Polk County Sheriff’ Grady Judd said he wants to see the teen tried as an adult for his alleged reckless crimes. Polk County Sheriff's Office

Wilson has been charged with attempted murder, armed burglary, discharging a firearm in a public place and possession of marijuana and paraphernalia.

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