Male Popeye's employee bodyslams 55-year-old woman after explosive row

A shocking video has gone viral on social media this week, which shows an employee at a Popeye's restaurant bodyslam a 55-year-old woman over a sandwich.

According to a report by Fox 10 News, the incident in question allegedly took place in a branch of in Columbia, Tennessee, on Friday, October 8. The victim subsequently required two operations and sustained multiple fractures as a result of her injuries.

You can watch the video of the incident below:

The assault was filmed by a bystander, who also witnessed the verbal dispute between the employee and the victim beforehand. Later, 29-year-old Popeye's employee Deriance Ra’Shaiel Hughes was arrested and charged with felony aggravated assault for attacking Debra Staggs.

There are conflicting reports about what caused the altercation. Staggs' lawyer, Rocky McElhaney, told local news agency WSMV that his client had been double-charged for her meal and had been arguing with Hughes about payment before he attacked her. She had been charged $13.11 for a meal of apple pies, corn, biscuits, and chicken, and had demanded a refund.

However, others have alleged that Staggs goaded Hughes by using racial slurs and other hate speech to provoke him. In the full-length video of the incident, another Popeye's employee can be heard saying to Staggs: "You are in the wrong place saying the N-word”.

Check out this recent news report all about a separate violent incident from a Popeye's branch in Los Angeles: 

Commenting on the incident, a spokesperson for Popeyes told a Fox affiliate that: "These actions run completely contrary to our standards and the integrity of our brand. Following an investigation, the franchisee took immediate action and we were informed that the employee has since been terminated. The entire circumstance is highly unfortunate for all involved, and we hope to never see this type of behavior again."

This isn't the first PR nightmare for the fried chicken chain. Check out this article we penned just last week about a fatal stabbing which broke out in Popeye's restaurant as a result of a fight over a sandwich.