Man with a beef for McDonald’s workers accused of threatening to shoot up eatery

A 21-year-old man who had a beef with employees at the McDonald’s restaurant in Richmond faces criminal charges after he threatened to shoot the workers, according to police.

Kyle Woodard of Clinton Township was arraigned Thursday in 42-1 District Court in Romeo on charges of making a terrorist threat, a 30-year felony, and using a computer to commit a felony, which is punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

According to police, Woodard called the McDonald’s on Main Street in the city’s downtown several times saying he “was going to shoot employees” at the fast-food eatery. Management called the police department to alert them of the threats.

“He was angry at multiple employees and the threats sounded pretty credible, so we took them seriously,” said Police Chief Tom Costello.

Officers used their vehicles to block access to the restaurant for several hours while an investigation was conducted.

Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido said Woodard was trying to reach his former girlfriend, who works at the fast-food restaurant.

Woodard called there to see if she was working, but the employees refused to tell him. He then called back numerous times, threatening to shoot her and the entire staff, according to the prosecutor.

“Making a threat to shoot up a restaurant is a serious crime,” Lucido said in a news release. “We will not hesitate to charge the 20year felony for this type of behavior.”

Investigators quickly developed a suspect and sent a notice to police departments around the area. Clinton Township police found and detained the suspect, who was turned over the Richmond officers.

Woodard is also charged with a misdemeanor of malicious use of a telecommunications device.

He is being held in the Macomb County Jail on a $500,000 bond cash only.

District Judge Jennifer Andary also ordered the defendant not to have any contact with his ex-girlfriend or the Richmond McDonald’s, be fitted with a steel cuff tether if he bonds out, and undergo substance abuse testing.

He must obtain an updated mental health diagnosis, take all prescribed medications, and was referred to Community Mental Health.

A probable cause hearing was scheduled for 1 p.m. Tuesday, March 14, with his preliminary exam scheduled for 10:45 a.m. Tuesday, March 21.