St. Louis County, Missouri – A horrifying incident unfolded at a McDonald’s restaurant just outside St. Louis earlier this month, where a 15-year-old female worker was brutally assaulted by a man with a history of criminal activities. The assailant, identified as Johnny Ricks, allegedly dragged the teen by her hair across the parking lot before stomping on her head repeatedly, resulting in severe injuries, according to the St. Louis County Police.
The victim, identified as Aryiah Lynch, suffered a fractured skull, a broken nose, and damage to her frontal lobe. The vicious attack was captured on video and shared on social media, sparking outrage and condemnation from the community.
Following the assault, Lynch’s family set up a GoFundMe page to help cover her medical expenses. The page has already raised over $13,000 of its $15,000 goal, with her mother expressing gratitude for the support while acknowledging the long road to recovery ahead.
Witnesses reported that the altercation began when Ricks and a group of others caused a disturbance at the drive-thru window, prompting employees to ask them to come inside. The situation escalated inside the restaurant, with the group allegedly menacing the workers, throwing items, and spitting on employees.
The confrontation eventually spilled out into the parking lot, where the violent assault took place. Ricks, who has a lengthy criminal record including charges of theft, fraud, and assault, was arrested and is currently facing charges of felony assault and property damage.
The McDonald’s owner, Jimmy Williams, emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety of employees and customers, stating that they are fully cooperating with the police investigation. Meanwhile, authorities are actively working to identify more victims, witnesses, and suspects involved in the incident.
The disturbing incident has sparked discussions about workplace safety and the need for stricter measures to prevent such violent encounters. Lynch, who has since been released from the hospital, is determined to return to work soon despite the traumatic experience she endured.