Michigan Criminal Lawyers Blog
In early February of this year, 29-year-old Shaneka Monique Torres was arrested after allegedly shooting at a McDonald’s drive-through window when the burger she ordered didn’t have the bacon she requested, according to news articles at Mlive.com. Torres was charged with discharging a firearm at an occupied structure, carrying a concealed weapon, and felonious use of a firearm.
It all began when Torres arrived home with her burger to discover that it contained no bacon. She called the McDonald’s restaurant, told them what had happened, and gave them her name and telephone number when told that she would get a free meal for her trouble. That evening, Torres and a friend went out clubbing. At around 3 a.m., Torres decided that she and her friend would stop by and get the free meal she had been promised. Torres allegedly ordered a burger with bacon, and again, there was no bacon on the sandwich. At this point, Torres, who was a passenger in the vehicle driven by a friend, pulled out a 9mm handgun and shot through the closed window on the driver’s side of the vehicle. The employee had just walked away from the drive-through window when Torres fired the gun; the bullet traveled through the entire restaurant from west to east, according to news reports.
Grand Rapids police Lt. Patrick Merrill said there was no angry encounter, and that even the driver was stunned. Employees heard a noise, and believed something had hit the floor when they heard the noise. They did not realize a gun had been fired until they saw the hole in the drive-through window.
On March 20, Torres was present in Kent County Circuit Court where she learned that prosecutors will not offer her a plea deal. Torres could spend up to seven years in prison if found guilty of the charges against her.
In Michigan, intentionally discharging a firearm at an occupied building or structure is a felony offense, leaving the defendant facing a maximum of four years in prison along with possible fines of up to $2,000 if found guilty. Carrying a concealed weapon is also a serious crime in the state, illegal for individuals who do not have a license to carry.
If you have been charged with a serious or violent crime, it is critical to obtain the legal support and guidance of a skilled and aggressive Michigan criminal defense attorney. Choosing to represent yourself is not advised, as your freedom and much more is in jeopardy. For every criminal offense there are effective legal defenses and strategies which can work to prevent a conviction, or help reduce charges so that the damage to your life is minimized.