A Sunday evening trip to McDonald’s in Daytona Beach, Florida ended in tragedy when a road rage incident in the drive-thru line escalated to a fatal shooting in the parking lot. The confrontation left one man dead and another claiming self-defense, as local authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding the deadly encounter.
On September 8, 2024, at around 8:00 PM, police responded to reports of a shooting at the McDonald’s located on LPGA Boulevard in Daytona Beach. Upon arrival, officers encountered a scene of pure chaos in the restaurant’s parking lot.
“When officers arrived at the scene, they observed a female actively performing CPR on a male victim who was on the ground in the parking lot with an apparent gunshot wound,” Daytona Beach police said in a statement. The victim, later identified as 30-year-old Brian Collins, was pronounced dead at the scene despite the bystander’s efforts to save his life.
As police assessed the situation, they were approached by another man who identified himself as the shooter. This individual claimed that the deadly confrontation stemmed from a road rage incident that began in the McDonald’s drive-thru line.
According to police reports, an altercation between Collins and the shooter erupted in the parking lot following their initial dispute in the drive-thru. The exact nature of their disagreement remains unclear, as authorities have not released specific details about what sparked the confrontation.
The shooter, whose identity has not been disclosed by law enforcement, told police that he feared for his life during the altercation. This claim could potentially factor into the investigation, as Florida’s Stand Your Ground law may come into play.
As of now, no charges have been filed against the shooter. The Daytona Beach Police Department is conducting a thorough investigation into the incident, gathering evidence and statements from witnesses to piece together the events that led to Collins’ death.
The McDonald’s location where the shooting occurred, situated about 55 miles northeast of Orlando, remained closed for several hours as investigators combed the scene for evidence. Local residents expressed their shock and concern over the violence that unfolded in what is typically a busy family restaurant.
The family of Brian Collins is left to struggle with their sudden and unexpected loss, while the community awaits further details and potential legal proceedings resulting from this deadly encounter.
