Florida man arrested for killing Burger King employee over slow service

Orlando, Fla. — Orange County Deputies arrested a man early this morning after witnesses say he shot and killed a young Burger King employee during a fight over slow service Saturday night.

22-year-old Desmond Joshua Jr. was working in the drive-through line at the Burger King on 7643 E Colonial Drive the night of August 1, his third day on the job according to OCSO.

Another employee told detectives that the drive-through was “backed-up” and that customers were waiting for a long time as a result; one woman, later identified as Ashley Mason, exited her vehicle and threatened to bring her “man” to the restaurant before her order was refunded and she was told to leave.

Witnesses told police that Mason waited in the parking lot for five minutes, left briefly, and returned in the passenger seat of a white “SGL” work truck with 37-year-old Kelvis Rodriguez at the wheel.

Rodriguez demanded to fight Joshua in the parking lot, putting him in a headlock and choking him as another employee told investigators that they stepped in and separated the two.

Rodriguez was then seen arming himself with a handgun, entering his truck, and rolling down his window, telling Joshua “you got two seconds before I shoot you,” according to the arrest affidavit.

Witnesses say that Rodriguez shot Joshua in the chest and drove away without calling 911; Joshua fell to the ground and was pronounced dead at the hospital.

With help from witnesses, Sheriffs’ Deputies tracked Mason’s car to her home on Ventana Lane where Rodriguez’s work truck was also parked.

Rodriguez and Mason were found and detained before 4 a.m. this morning, the former now arrested and charged with first degree murder with a firearm, destruction of evidence, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Given the first degree murder charge, Rodriguez is being held without bond.

Cox Media Group