Jack-in-the-Box worker opens fire on customers over missing curly fries, officials say

A Houston Jack-in-the-Box worker allegedly opened fire on customers during an argument over missing curly fries in March 2021. Per ABC13, a recently surfaced video shows the employee Alonniea Fantasia Ford committing the alleged act. The video being released also comes in the wake of a lawsuit the plaintiffs filed against Ford and the fast-food restaurant.

Per the lawsuit, the incident occurred at the restaurant’s location close to the Bush Intercontinental Airport. The altercation allegedly occurred after Anthony Ramos and his family placed an order for a combo meal at the restaurant’s drive-thru. Ramos was driving the car at the time.

Ramos, who stays in Florida, had traveled to Houston for work. Ramos was also in the company of his wife and then-6-year-old daughter when they made their way to the drive-thru. 

In the video of what transpired, Ford is seen seemingly upset with Ramos. The 2022 lawsuit states that Ramos and his family bought a combo meal for $12.99, but they were not given the curly fries they asked for. An argument subsequently ensued.

The video then shows Ford appearing to take out a gun not too long into the altercation. She is later seen throwing items at the car through the window before opening fire on the family. Ramos had to speed away to get himself and his family out of harm’s way. 

“Jack in the Box needs to do a background check on employees so as not to expose their customers to someone who would attempt to kill them,” the family’s lawyer, Randall Kallinen, said in a news release, per ABC13.

The video in question was made available to Kallinen after a discovery request was made. The lawsuit also accuses Jack-in-the-Box of negligence for not ensuring the safety of customers. But in the wake of the incident, the restaurant rejected the allegations and said third parties like Ford don’t fall under the company’s “control”, adding that it is also “not legally responsible” for them.

Ford initially faced an aggravated assault with a deadly weapon charge after she was arrested in connection with the incident. She, however, pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of deadly conduct and received a one-year deferred adjudication sentence. Court documents stated that she has since completed the sentence. 

The family is seeking $250,000 in damages from the defendants.