Taco Bell drive-thru worker shot to death over refusing counterfeit cash, CA cops say

A 41-year-old man working in a Taco Bell drive-thru was shot repeatedly by a customer following a dispute over counterfeit money, Los Angeles police said.

The worker’s 19-year-old son, also a Taco Bell employee, refused to take the fake cash offered by the customer at the restaurant, KTLA reported.

The customer opened fire, killing the older worker, in the 9900 block of South Avalon Boulevard in South Los Angeles at 11 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 8, police told McClatchy News.

The gunman drove off in a black sedan, police said. The worker was pronounced dead at the scene.

His family identified the slain worker as Alejandro Garcia, KNBC reported.

He was shot in the torso and was not breathing when emergency workers arrived, KABC reported.

On Monday, Jan. 10, Los Angeles police arrested Jonathan Madden, 39, on suspicion of the slaying, KTLA reported.

“We are shocked and saddened to hear that this happened,” Taco Bell said in a statement, KNBC reported. “Our deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of the team member in this difficult time.”

The owner of the restaurant is cooperating with the investigation and has reached out to Garcia’s family with support, the statement said.

This story was originally published January 9, 2022 at 11:24 AM with the headline "Taco Bell drive-thru worker shot to death over refusing counterfeit cash, CA cops say."