Police: Krystal employee throws frozen hamburger patties, spits in customer's face

LAKE CITY, Fla. — Lake City Police said a Krystal employee turned violent on Tuesday after learning he would be written up for showing up to work late.

Police said 29-year-old Russell Francis Gomez threw frozen hamburger patties at his boss, then started knocking over equipment and poured cooking oil on the floor when the manager tried to go to the office.

Employees got customers out of the store safely while Gomez "flipped the circuit breakers, overturned trash cans, and damaged electronic equipment," according to a release from the Lake City Police Department.

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Gomez got into his car and tried to leave, but two customers blocked him from leaving, because he was "saying he was going to return and making threats toward the manager," the release detailed.

Gomez confronted one of the customers and spat in their face. The two customers "grabbed and restrained Gomez" until police arrived, according to the release.

When police arrived, Gomez was bleeding from the mouth. Gomez was told to sit while police obtained statements from witnesses. He then tried to leave on foot, but was able to be apprehended by officers safely.

Gomez was booked into the Columbia County Jail and faces three counts of aggravated battery, as well as assault, criminal mischief and resisting an officer without violence. He also faces a charge of driving while license suspended/revoked, as deputies found that he is a habitual traffic offender.

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