A Leesburg teen was arrested after allegedly firing off several rounds at the McDonald’s restaurant at 10402 U.S. Hwy. 441 in Leesburg.
John William Barron, 19, had recently been terminated from his McDonald’s job, according to an arrest report from the Leesburg Police Department
Barron drove his car to the restaurant late Thursday night and confronted several employees who were socializing in the parking lot. Barron challenged one person to a fight, but was ordered to leave by another employee. Barron drove his car at some of the employees before exiting the parking lot. Witnesses said Barron drove by the restaurant and fired six rounds in the direction of the employees. Two windows of the McDonald’s were shattered as was one of the windows of an employee’s car.
After learning the identity of the shooter, Leesburg police notified the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies went to a residence on Cook Avenue in Leesburg where Barron’s car had been spotted. Deputies arrested Barron and recovered a .22-caliber Ruger pistol, found hidden under a dresser.
Barron admitted to shooting at the employees, but claimed he only did so to scare them, not hurt anyone.
Barron was charged with three counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill, shooting a weapon into a building, and discharging a weapon from a vehicle. He was booked at the Lake County Jail and released after posting $37,000 cash bond.