Taco Bell employee takes unruly customer outside, assaults him with martial arts

Duane A. Massie. Photo Courtesy: Salt Lake County

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, Nov. 3, 2016 (UPI) —  The rule says the customer is always right. A fast food restaurant employee in Salt Lake City opted not to follow it, though, when he sent a customer to the hospital in serious condition after beating him during a heated argument over an order.

A Taco Bell employee was arrested for assaulting a customer using martial arts kicks after he walked outside with the customer to continue an argument that started while the man was receiving a refund.

The 64-year-old walked into the restaurant to complain about an incorrect order and get a refund using what police called “some very strong words,” and started making a scene in the middle of the restaurant.

As he was leaving, 23-year-old Duane Massie, followed him outside to continue the argument. The two were yelling at each other, and the customer swung at Massie, drawing a female employee outside to try to stop the fight.

When the female employee was pushed by the customer, Massie punched him and then kicked him in the face and body, and continued hitting him while he was on the ground.

Massie, who claims to be a second-degree green belt in Muay Thai-style fighting, caused a picc line in the customer’s arm to rupture, which led to an artery bleeding.

The customer was taken to the hospital, where he was rushed into surgery for the artery, and was treated for severe bruising on his face. Massie was arrested later at his home on charges of aggravated assault.

Police did not say whether they would be charging the customer for his role in the fight.

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