Waffle House worker shot a day after asking customer to wear a mask, Colorado cops say
A Colorado man turned away after refusing to wear a face mask inside a Waffle House in Aurora has been charged for allegedly shooting the restaurant’s cook, local authorities say.
Aurora Police Department officers arrested Kelvin Watson, 27, on Monday on suspicion of attempted first-degree murder, McClatchy News has confirmed.
The shooting unfolded just after midnight on May 15 at the Waffle House on E. Mississippi Avenue, according to police. Watson was reportedly refused service at the restaurant the night before over his refusal to wear a face mask.
He was asked to leave and returned a short time later with a mask — only it wasn’t covering his face. After being told again that he wouldn’t be served, Waffle House workers said Watson brandished a gun and threatened a cook, saying, “I can blow your brains out right now,” CBS Denver reported, citing a police affidavit.
Watson, who employees say was a regular at the restaurant, returned the next night on May 15. Still without a mask, the cook from the night before asked him to leave and said the eatery was already at capacity, according to an arrest report obtained by KMGH-TV. That’s when Watson grew angry and slapped the cook across the face, authorities said.
The 25-year-old victim told police he fled from the back of the restaurant and was followed by Watson. Once outside, he said the gunman said something to the effect of “You better shut the f--- up and serve me” before shooting, police said, according to CBS Denver.
Aurora police responded shortly after midnight after receiving reports of a fight “where someone was possibly shot,” a department spokesman told McClatchy News.
“Officers located an employee of the Waffle House a short distance away who was suffering from a gunshot wound,” the spokesman added. “The victim was transported to the hospital and is recovering from his injury.”
A representative for Waffle House told Denver station KDVR the cook suffered injuries to his abdomen but was released from the hospital last week and is expected to make a full recovery.
“We are relieved to hear that Aurora police have made an arrest for this terrible crime, and greatly appreciate the diligence of local law enforcement,” public relations director Njeri Boss said in a statement obtained by the station. “This case involves a senseless act of violence that should not be tolerated in any community. We are very thankful that neither of our associates who were working when the incident occurred, suffered any life-threatening injuries.”
While the City of Aurora doesn’t require that face masks be worn amid the coronavirus pandemic, the Tri-City Health Department, which includes the city, has advised residents to wear face coverings when out in public, KDVR reported.
Police said the case has been turned over to the 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office for investigation.
Watson has since been released on $100,000 bond, the DA’s office told McClatchy News.