McDonald Manager snapped and beat-up employee

A 17-year-old fast food employee says he was beaten by a manager Monday at the McDonald's on Austin Peay near the Raleigh Springs Mall.

"He had grabbed me from behind and started punching me in the face," says Jarelle Gray. "He had me in a headlock. I tried to grab his legs when he was kneeing me."

Gray, a Bolton High School Senior, has been released from the hospital and is recovering at home. He has a broken nose and his right eye is swollen shut. He also has cuts on his lip, face and forehead.

Gray says a supervisor called him Sunday night to work the overnight shift from 10:00 p.m. Sunday until 5:00 a.m. Monday.

Gray says the supervisor promised him a free meal and an extra $30 to cover the shift. Gray says the morning manager arrived 30 minutes after five, a half hour after his shift was supposed to end. He says the manager asked him to stay longer. Gray says he was tired, and decided to clock out and go home.

When he grabbed the free meal he says he was promised, Gray says the manager lost it, and went on the attack.

Gray says there were three officers eating at the McDonald's at the time of the attack. He says the officers told him they didn't see him getting beaten. An ambulance was called, and Gray was taken to St. Francis Hospital.

We went to the manager's home to ask him questions about the incident, but he told us he had no comment, and then shut the door.

Gray's father, Jerome Gray, says his son is a good kid who was holding down a job, saving money and preparing to go to college. "To see him get victimized by trying to do the right thing, is heartbreaking," says Jerome.

Memphis Police say the incident is listed as a simple assault case. It's unclear whether the manger has been charged at this point. More information should become available once the police report is released Tuesday.

The McDonald's Franchisee Released the following statement to WREG:

"Providing our employees with a safe, positive work environment is a top priority for our organization. We are disturbed by this situation, as anyone would be in similar circumstances. We wish the employee a quick and speedy recovery.

We have zero tolerance for this type of behavior in our restaurants. Upon learning about these allegations, we took immediate action to gather the facts. The alleged behavior of the individual in question is not reflective of our employees or organization, and we have taken action consistent our employment policies. The individual in question has been suspended pending further investigation.

We require all employees to abide by the law, as well as by our stringent employment policies."

I wish that this case was as easy as it looks, considering that this young man has a fat lip, broken nose and closed eye. Although as you look at it why would an adult just thrash a juvenile with so much intensity? So many unanswered questions as to what really happen but for the most part whatever happened it does not matter because the manager violated company protocol... The manager will be fired and McDonald's will be sued. McDonald's will settle out of court for an undisclosed amount and this case will eventually go away... But they will pay!!!

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