McDonald’s employees in Pennsylvania tried to stall the man accused of killing an elderly stranger in Cleveland when the suspect stopped to order food at the fast-food chain in the midst of a manhunt.
A McDonald’s employee who recognized Steve Stephens told the Erie Times-News that he called state police and waited before handing Stephens his complete drive-through order of 20 chicken nuggets and fries.
“We told him his fries were going to be a minute,” Henry Sayers, the manager of the Erie County restaurant, told the Times-News.
“I am pretty sure he figured out that we were on to him,” said Thomas DuCharme Jr., owner and operator of the McDonald’s, according to the Times-News. “He didn’t want to wait for his fries.”
Stephens, 37, drove away without them, and he was confronted by police about five miles away. He shot and killed himself after law enforcement officials attempted to confront him.
Stephens is accused of fatally shooting 74-year-old Robert Godwin Sr. at random on Sunday and then sharing the footage on Facebook.
More Must-Reads From TIME
- Jane Fonda Champions Climate Action for Every Generation
- Biden’s Campaign Is In Trouble. Will the Turnaround Plan Work?
- Why We're Spending So Much Money Now
- The Financial Influencers Women Actually Want to Listen To
- Breaker Sunny Choi Is Heading to Paris
- Why TV Can’t Stop Making Silly Shows About Lady Journalists
- The Case for Wearing Shoes in the House
- Want Weekly Recs on What to Watch, Read, and More? Sign Up for Worth Your Time
Write to Katie Reilly at Katie.Reilly@time.com