COLUMBIA, Tenn. (WZTV) A man faces a felony aggravated assault charge following the circulation of a video showing a woman being body slammed to the ground outside a Popeyes in Columbia, Tennessee.
The video has been making the rounds on social media, racking up tens of thousands of views. In the video, people are seen chasing a woman out of the store, and then a man picks her up and slams her to the ground.
Columbia officers rushed to the Popeye's on Nashville Highway at around 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 5 for reports of the assault and disturbance. Investigators arrested Deriance RaShaiel Hughe, 29, in connected to the reported Popeye's assault.
Hughes was taken into custody at around 2:20 p.m. Friday and charged with felony aggravated assault. Authorities tell FOX 17 News charges against more people may be forthcoming as the investigation continues.
A family member tells FOX 17 News that the woman in the video is hospitalized in the Intensive Care Unit at Vanderbilt with six broken ribs, a shattered left arm and broken knee cap. The 55-year-old has since hired legal representation with Rocky McElhaney Law Firm.
Before things took a dangerous turn, the woman's lawyer claims she was trying to get a refund after reportedly being double-charged for food on her bank statement.
Video taken by a witness shows what happened in the moments leading up to the woman getting body slammed in the restaurant's parking lot.
Residents in the Columbia area can't seem to understand how the situation escalated to the action seen in the video.
I actually watched it about 10 times to try to get the concept of it, but I couldnt catch the concept of it, and it kind of disturbed me, so I was like, theres no reason that you should ever slam a woman that hard regardless of what she says or anything like that, Columbia Resident Mark King said.
Still in shock, he pointed out there could be more to the situation.
Stuff like that happens over, over what? I dont know, because theres two sides to every story, so you cant really say, but it shouldve been no reason that she was slammed like that, and now she in the hospital, King continued.
A spokesperson for Popeyes released the following statement about the investigation:
"We were shocked to learn about what happened in Tennessee. 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."
A police report has been filed and more information on what led to the altercation is expected to be released. For now, officers are asking anyone with information or footage of the incident to call 931-560-1670.
This is a developing story. FOX 17 will update this article with the latest information.
