Man arrested for firing pellet gun at fast food employee, Tumwater police say

A 35-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of first-degree assault after he fired a pellet gun at a McDonald’s employee early Monday morning, according to Tumwater police.

The suspect fired two rounds, one of which struck the 51-year-old man in the lower abdomen, Lt. Jen Kolb said. Medics responded to the scene then took the man to an area hospital for emergency surgery, she said.

About 5:30 a.m., the suspect pulled up to the drive-thru in his vehicle and ordered food at the McDonald’s on Capitol Boulevard.

As he drove up to the window to get his order, he allegedly threw a cup out his vehicle window and onto the ground in front of an employee emptying garbage and changing garbage bags, Kolb said.

The employee was unhappy about the cup being thrown and the two allegedly exchanged words, she said.

The suspect then picked up his food order, drove around to the north side of the building and fired two pellets at the man with an air pellet gun, according to police.

Police believe the pellets were metal, she said.

Kolb said police responded and reviewed video camera footage, getting a description of the man and his vehicle. That information was shared with area law enforcement, she said.

Olympia police then discovered the suspect’s vehicle Monday night using Flock camera technology, Kolb said. The man was taken into custody about 9:20 p.m. after he came out of a convenience store at Martin Way and Lilly Road.