Popeyes^® Manager Allegedly Shoots Coworker Over Burnt Biscuits

It's the kind of headline you'd expect from satire — but the incident was all too real. On May 11, 2025, in Charlotte, North Carolina, a Popeyes^® manager allegedly shot a fellow manager during a heated altercation. The reason? According to a witness and law enforcement documents, it all started with an argument over burnt biscuits.

What Sparked the Violence?

According to court documents obtained by WBTV and cited by local news, the dispute between Wood and another Popeyes employee — also a manager — began inside the restaurant. A customer who witnessed the confrontation told police the argument stemmed from overcooked biscuits.

The disagreement escalated quickly. One employee reportedly challenged the other to step outside, which they did. The customer said a physical fight broke out between the two. At some point, Wood allegedly pulled a gun and fired two shots at point-blank range, hitting the other manager in the groin and chest.

Court records state that video footage from the scene captured Wood firing his weapon twice at close range. The victim — whose name has not been released — was taken to Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center and underwent emergency surgery.

A History of Tension Between the Coworkers

This wasn’t the first sign of trouble between the two managers. Authorities say the men had clashed before, and Wood had requested a transfer in the past to avoid working with the other employee. That request was apparently not granted.

It's unclear how long the tension had been building, but the situation on May 11 was clearly the tipping point — and it turned violent in seconds.

Wood's Version of Events

Police located Wood shortly after the shooting. Though he initially fled, he was found within the same shopping center where the Popeyes is located.

Wood reportedly told officers that once outside, his coworker punched him in the face three times. In response, he claimed to have fired two "warning shots" and said he had no intention of killing the other man, KBTX reported. However, investigators rejected that explanation.

According to the affidavit, Wood "failed to articulate a credible, imminent threat of deadly force necessary to support a self-defense claim under state law," KBTX reported.

Authorities also noted that the victim did not have a weapon and that the shots were fired at extremely close range — undermining Wood's self-defense claim.

Charges and Legal Consequences

Rodney Wood has been charged with attempted first-degree murder and assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill. According to Mecklenburg County arrest records, his bond has been set at $50,000.

Given the severity of the charges, Wood could face decades in prison if convicted. While his claim of self-defense may be raised in court, the existing video evidence and witness accounts appear to contradict that version of events.

A Storefront Turned Crime Scene

News footage from the day of the incident showed a taped-off sidewalk and police officers patrolling the area, with the Popeyes restaurant's signage still visible through the window. That familiar fast-food setting became the scene of a shooting — all sparked by a disagreement over biscuits.

The Popeyes location has not publicly commented on the incident. No updates have been given on whether Wood or the injured manager were terminated or suspended following the altercation.

Bigger Questions About Conflict and Culture

This case isn’t just about burnt biscuits. It raises broader concerns about conflict resolution, workplace violence, and what happens when tension simmers unchecked in high-pressure environments.

Fast-food restaurants often operate under stressful conditions — long hours, minimal breaks, and high turnover. When those issues are compounded by unresolved personal conflict, the result can be dangerous. In this case, a dispute escalated beyond words and fists into something far more serious.

With a man critically wounded and another facing a possible life behind bars, the community is left asking: What could have prevented this? And how did something as small as a kitchen dispute end in gunfire?

References: Popeyes Manager in North Carolina Allegedly Shot a Coworker in Dispute Over 'Burnt Biscuits' | Popeyes manager shot co-worker over 'burnt biscuits,' police say