A Maryland woman was arrested on June 18 after allegedly displaying a handgun during an argument with Taco Bell employees over the length of time it took to receive her order. Ashley Andrews, 30, faces charges including second-degree assault and handgun violations.
Deputies from the Queen Anne’s County Office of the Sheriff responded to a Taco Bell in Chester, Maryland, following reports of a customer displaying a firearm. According to restaurant workers, Andrews became agitated about her order's wait time and told staff members to confront her in the parking lot before allegedly revealing a handgun and making threats.
Upon arrival, deputies detained Andrews and another individual from her party who was reportedly involved in a verbal altercation. Authorities stated that a loaded firearm was recovered from Andrews. Investigators reviewed surveillance footage and an employee's personal video, which appeared to corroborate the employees' accounts. The footage reportedly showed Andrews lifting her shirt to display the handgun and placing her hand on its grip while continuing to argue.
The incident occurred at a Taco Bell located in the Kent Town Market shopping center on Maryland's Eastern Shore.
Court records indicate Andrews was initially held on a $5,000 bond, later posting bail and being released the following day. She was charged with second-degree assault, handgun on person, disorderly conduct, and reckless endangerment. Authorities have also issued a ban preventing her from returning to the Taco Bell property. Andrews, represented by a public defender, has invoked her right to a speedy trial, with a court appearance scheduled for July.