FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WOWO) — Fort Wayne police have released new details surrounding a violent altercation inside a Tim Hortons restaurant that ended with the death of a woman involved in the incident.
According to the Fort Wayne Police Department, the confrontation began shortly after 8 a.m. when Ms. Grayson entered the restaurant to complain about an issue with a drive-thru order. Investigators said she began yelling at a 17-year-old employee inside the business.
A 20-year-old shift lead reportedly stepped between Ms. Grayson and the juvenile employee and repeatedly instructed her to leave the restaurant. Police said Ms. Grayson then attempted to move around the shift lead toward the younger employee.
Authorities stated the shift lead placed her hands on Ms. Grayson in an apparent attempt to block her path. Ms. Grayson allegedly responded by forcefully shoving the employee backward before striking her in the face moments later.
The situation escalated into a physical fight between the two women. Police said Ms. Grayson grabbed the shift lead’s face, scratched her, and knocked off her glasses during the struggle. Investigators also allege that Ms. Grayson grabbed the employee by the hair, pulled her to the ground, and tore out a chunk of hair, leaving a raw spot on the employee’s scalp.
Other Tim Hortons employees attempted to break up the fight and eventually separated the two women. Surveillance footage reportedly showed the employee’s hair falling from Ms. Grayson’s hand onto the floor.
After the altercation ended, employees retreated behind the counter while Ms. Grayson sat at a table and spoke on her cellphone. Police said she later picked up the hair from the floor and placed it into her bag.
Roughly 10 minutes later, Ms. Grayson laid down on the floor of the restaurant. The shift lead and another employee reportedly checked on her and provided water before officers arrived at the scene.
When police arrived, officers found Ms. Grayson unresponsive. Medics performed life-saving measures before transporting her to a hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.
The Fort Wayne Police Department said the case remains under investigation and emphasized the importance of allowing investigators and prosecutors to review all available evidence before conclusions are drawn.
“FWPD understands the public concern surrounding this case,” the department said in a statement. “We also recognize the importance of transparency, accuracy, and allowing the investigative and prosecutorial review process to proceed based on the full body of evidence, not incomplete video clips or inaccurate public narratives.”
