Waffle House customer gets angry waiting for his food and kills worker, NC cops say

A Waffle House customer grew increasingly agitated while waiting on his food and shot one of the employees, according to investigators in North Carolina.

It happened around 12:40 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 13, at the Waffle House near the intersection of Interstate 74 and U.S. 15, about a 100-mile drive southwest from Raleigh, the Laurinburg Police Department said in a news release.

The gunman remains at large and hasn’t been identified, according to police.

Investigators say 18-year-old Burlie Dawson Locklear of Red Springs was shot as he was working inside the restaurant. He was pronounced dead after being taken to Scotland Memorial Hospital, police said.

“The suspect came to the business and ordered food. While the food was being prepared, the suspect became more agitated and verbally abusive toward the employees,” police said.

“Once the food was provided ... the suspect walked toward (a vehicle), turned and fired two shots in the direction of the business, striking Locklear.”

The man drove off in a vehicle described as a dark gray, older-model Chevrolet, officials said.

Details of what started the dispute were not released, and investigators did not say if Locklear was an intended target.

Tips in the shooting can be offered by calling Lt. J. White at 910-276-3211 or through Scotland Crimestoppers at www.scotlandcountycs.com or 910-266-8146, officials said.

This story was originally published September 13, 2024 at 1:21 PM with the headline "Waffle House customer gets angry waiting for his food and kills worker, NC cops say."