Customer shot after Wendy’s drive-thru argument; KC manager faces felony charges
A manager of a Wendy’s restaurant in Kansas City’s Northland allegedly shot a customer after an argument in the drive-thru lanes late Friday, court documents show.
The Clay County Prosecutor’s Office has charged Terrence R. Phillips, 47, of Independence with one count each of first-degree assault, armed criminal action and unlawful use of a weapon, all felonies.
According to court documents, the shooting occurred about 11:15 p.m. on March 20, at the Wendy’s at 4931 North Oak Trafficway in Kansas City, North.
Officers responded to the victim’s nearby apartment around 11:25 p.m., where they found multiple people around a car. The victim was lying on the ground, “bleeding profusely” from his chest. A witness was holding a blood-soaked rag against his chest.
The victim told police that he drove to Wendy’s and that an employee who appeared to be the manager shot him. The victim was taken to a hospital, where medical staff told police he had been shot once in the back with the bullet exiting through the middle of his chest.
A witness told police that the victim had left their apartment about 11 p.m. to get food for the family, and about 20 minutes later, he called saying that he had been shot. The victim drove back to their apartment, where the witness said she rendered aid until police arrived.
Meanwhile, Kansas City police officers and Clay County Sheriff's deputies responded to the Wendy’s. Upon their arrival, they took Phillips into custody without incident..
Investigators found a single shell casing in the parking lot, and during a search of the business, they found a black Glock 22 .40 caliber handgun in the walk-in freezer. Police checked the serial number and discovered it had been stolen from the Norfolk Police Department. Court records didn’t indicate which state the police department was in.
Police interviewed three other employees, who said that Phillips had gotten into an argument with a customer who was yelling through the drive-thru window. Shortly thereafter, Phillips left the restaurant. They told police they did not see or hear anything afterward.
Detectives interviewed the victim at the hospital, who said that when he arrived at Wendy’s, an employee told him to pull forward to the window to order, according to court documents.
The victim said he didn’t understand why he was being told to pull forward, so he asked for clarification, but he got a rude response. At the window, an employee later identified as Phillips took his order and remained rude, the victim told police.
As the victim drove away, the drinks that were in a holder spilled over the victim’s car. The victim said he then drove back through the drive-thru to complain, but the employees refused to interact with him.
The victim told detectives that as he exited the drive-thru, he saw Phillips next to what appeared to be his vehicle. The victim said Phillips then pointed a firearm in his direction and fired one shot, which struck him. The victim said he then drove home to seek help.
Surveillance video allegedly shows Phillips leaving the business and the lights on his car activating. A faint image of a muzzle flash can be seen before Phillips re-enters with what appears to be a black handgun in a pocket.
When questioned by detectives, Phillips confirmed he was the restaurant’s manager. While working the drive-thru late at night, he told police that he tells all customers who order chicken to pull around because it is freshly cooked.
Phillips told detectives that a male customer had an issue with the request, and when he handed over the food, they exchanged words.
Phillips said that while he was taking another customer’s order, the man returned, pulled alongside the new customer and started yelling racial slurs at him.
Phillips told detectives he went outside because he had noticed the hatch of his vehicle was open. The man he had exchanged words with drove up to his vehicle. Phillips said he told the man to move on, and he left.
About 15 minutes later, officers arrived and arrested him. Phillips denied shooting anyone and said he did not know anything about a gun or why it was found inside the restaurant, according to court documents.
Phillips has numerous drug and weapon felony convictions out of Texas, according to court documents. He was being held in the Clay County jail on a $1 million bond.
