Police in Illinois say a shooting at McDonald’s that injured two people started with a teenage employee refusing to take out the trash.
The shooting happened around 4:45 p.m. Wednesday at the McDonald’s location in the 100 block of S Belt E. in Belleville, KMOV reports.
Investigators say 44-year-old Kathy M. Bledsoe, the manager on duty, asked a teenage employee to take the trash out to the dumpster. When the teenager refused, Bledsoe told her to clock out and go home.
Kathy Bledsoe is accused of shooting the mother of an employee during an altercation at a McDonald’s in Belleville on July 16, 2025.(Belleville Police Department)
The employee then contacted her mother, 35-year-old Tynika R. McKinzie. She brought another daughter, a juvenile, to the McDonald’s with her.
A verbal disturbance happened in the fast food restaurant’s lobby, and police say McKinzie and her daughter eventually went behind the counter and to the office area. McKinzie then allegedly hit Bledsoe in the face and head.
During the altercation, police say Bledsoe pulled out a gun and fired a shot, hitting McKinzie in the leg. The bullet also hit another female, but police did not identify her.
Bledsoe was arrested at the McDonald’s, while McKinzie was taken to the hospital for treatment.
After the shooting, the restaurant was closed for the rest of the day.
“It is unfortunate that this incident occurred. It seems individuals are quick to resort to violence to resolve disputes without consideration of the impact their actions have on the community as a whole. This was an unnecessary incident that could have been mitigated without punches being thrown or a gun being used,” wrote police in a Facebook post regarding the incident.
Bledsoe is charged with one count of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon.
McKinzie is charged with one count of aggravated battery and one count of mob action. Police say she is not in custody.
A local McDonald’s owner/operator issued the following statement in response to the shooting:
“We are shocked and saddened by this attack. Our top priority is always the safety and well-being of our people. Right now, we’re focused on providing support to our restaurant crew and will continue to assist law enforcement in their investigation.”