Douglas fast food feud: Suspect arrested after allegedly pulling two knives on female in McDonald's parking lot

Keniyah McDuffiePhoto byCCSO

A 20-year-old woman was taken into custody last week after allegedly pulling two knives on an 18-year-old in the Douglas McDonald's parking lot following a dispute in the restaurant's bathroom. According to an incident report, the victim sustained a small cut on her arm from the knife, along with multiple other cuts on her body resembling "claw marks."

A report from the Douglas Police Department states that on June 23, around 6:00 p.m., an officer was dispatched to McDonald's in response to a "fight in progress." While en route, the officer was informed by 911 dispatchers that one of the individuals involved in the altercation had pulled out a knife.

The officer reported that upon arriving at McDonald's, several witnesses pointed towards South Madison Avenue and informed him that one of the subjects had left in a white Ford car. The officer obtained the vehicle's license plate number from dispatchers and observed the car exiting the McDonald's parking lot on South Madison Avenue.

According to the report, the officer conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle and made contact with the driver, identified as Keniyah McDuffie from Willacoochee. McDuffie claimed to have received a text from a female stating that she needed to "get her money right."

McDuffie told the officer that upon receiving the text, she went to McDonald's to "show her that she had money." Upon arrival, according to McDuffie, she found the victim in the bathroom and engaged in a conversation with her.

The incident report continues, stating, "McDuffie said that they then stepped outside of the restaurant, and the victim swung at her, initiating a physical altercation. McDuffie said the victim grabbed a broom, so she felt it was necessary to grab knives in response. She stated that the dispute was then broken up."

According to the report, McDuffie was then placed in handcuffs and secured in the backseat of the officer's patrol vehicle.

The officer entered McDonald's and interviewed several witnesses, including the victim. According to the victim, McDuffie "began antagonizing her" when she encountered her in the restroom at McDonald's. She then walked outside, with McDuffie following her and initiating physical aggression.

According to the victim's statement, a fight broke out between her and McDuffie. Once the physical altercation was broken up, the victim reentered McDonald's, grabbed a chair, and positioned herself near the side door, where she sat down.

Continuing the victim's account, the officer stated, "McDuffie went to her vehicle, grabbed two knives, and pointed them at the victim. McDuffie then started making 'slicing motions' with the knives in an attempt to cut her."

The report also notes that the victim described the knives as orange and black, and that one of the knives made contact with her right arm just above the elbow. The officer confirmed a small cut on the victim's arm and noted the presence of "cuts all over her body resembling claw marks."

Multiple witnesses of the altercation supported the victim's claims, stating that McDuffie and the victim initially fought in the restroom before moving outside. Witnesses confirmed that McDuffie swung at the victim, leading to a physical altercation. They advised that both individuals were prevented from continuing the fight. Subsequently, the victim went inside, grabbed a chair, placed it in front of the door, and sat down. McDuffie then went to her car and retrieved two knives.

The report also states that all witnesses said they did not seeing McDuffie make direct contact with the victim using the knife, but they did witness McDuffie attempting to cut the victim with the knives.

The officer also reviewed surveillance footage but found it inconclusive "due to poor camera angles."

After interviewing the victim and the witnesses, McDuffie was transported to the Coffee County Jail and booked on one count of aggravated assault and one count of battery.

McDuffie was later released on bond following her arrest.