Residents react to McDonald’s shooting in Brawley

Four suspects are behind bars Wednesday after police said a fight at a McDonald’s in Brawley led to a pellet gun being fired.

A scary situation for McDonald’s customers Tuesday night after the fast food restaurant was locked down following reports of shots being fired.

Brawley police arrived at the scene and said some of the suspects who were arrested were armed.

Commander Brett Houser, of the Brawley Police Department, said, “Multiple suspects involved with assault with a deadly weapon. A knife and replica firearm were used.”

Kathryn Nigos, a concerned mother of five who goes with her children to McDonald’s every week, is now reconsidering doing so.

“It’s usually a safe place to bring your children but at this point, I’m not too sure if I do want to bring the kids. For the fact that if something like that does happen maybe I’m endangering the well-being of my children and that would never happen,” said Nigos.

While police said no one was injured during the fight, Nigos knows things could have been a lot worse.

Nigos said, “If they would have chosen to either swing the knife or fire the gun inside of McDonald’s, it could have hit any one of our kids.”

Alan Hill, a customer, said what happened last night doesn’t reflect the community.

“It’s very unfortunate you know because the place is always full of people. You know and this is a small community and it really shouldn’t be happening. You know there’s a lot of good people here,” Hill said.

Frederica Luke, a concerned resident, is on high alert after the recent string of crimes in the neighborhood.

Luke said, “Very scary. I don’t think I now will wander around out at night particularly. Makes one think.”

A statement sent from the Abe Martinez, McDonald’s owner-operator in Brawley to News 11, read, “Thankfully all of our customers and employees were, and are safe. This is always our highest priority.”

News reached out to the Brawley Police Department but they have yet to return our phone calls.