In a shocking incident at a McDonald’s on 2738 S. Main Street, High Point, 57-year-old pastor Dwayne Waden is now facing assault charges after reportedly attempting to push a 34-year-old cook into a deep fryer. The incident unfolded on December 28, following a distress call to Waden from his wife, a manager in training at the establishment, reporting disrespect toward her.
Law and Crime reported the details of the incident, indicating that allegations of asphyxiation emerged from a police report, suggesting that the victim was restrained, struck, and subjected to force during the altercation. Witnesses revealed that Waden entered the McDonald’s, crossed behind the counter, and forcefully directed the cook’s head towards the deep fryer. The assault only ceased when several employees intervened.
The police report further stated, “The assailant repeatedly struck the victim on the face, and the victim sustained a significant contusion on the forehead and right eye, accompanied by neck scratches.”
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A 911 call obtained by local Fox affiliate WGHP captured the victim’s distress. “I just got assaulted. I was hit in my face several times, and I have asthma, so I’m having an asthma attack,” the victim reported while hospitalized after the attack.
Police, after arresting Waden, confirmed that restaurant footage captured the incident. Waden, released on bond, recounted his version of events to local CBS affiliate WFMY-TV, claiming that the worker had disrespected his wife. He alleged that the altercation ensued when the worker got in his face, leading to a physical confrontation.
McDonald’s responded to the incident, stating, “The pastor’s wife is no longer employed at the franchise, and ‘The safety and security of our employees and customers is our top priority.'”
In an interview with WGHP, Waden’s wife revealed that she contacted her husband, a pastor at Elevated Life International Ministries, after employees directed expletives at her. Upon arriving at the restaurant, Waden instructed her to collect her belongings and clock out. While refuting the claim of pushing the worker’s head into a fryer, he denied the accusation.
Dwayne Waden is scheduled to appear in court on January 22. The incident has sparked concerns about workplace safety and the need for swift action to protect employees from such acts of violence.
