Mykel Gordon: 'Hero' Chick-fil-A employee wrestles man who tried to carjack mother with infant
OKALOOSA, FLORIDA: An eager Chick-fil-A worker, Mykel Gordon, acted quickly to save a mother and her infant from a carjacking in Fort Walton Beach, Florida's Panhandle. William Branch, 43, tried to carjack a mother carrying a baby before being put to the ground by the local hero.
A potential criminal was handled by the employee, who put him in an MMA-style headlock and made him submit. The suspect was allegedly attempting to steal the woman's keys on September 14 in the restaurant's parking lot, according to a Facebook post from the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office. The mother was taking her child out of the car at that moment while the suspect was reportedly carrying a stick during the attempted robbery, according to the sheriff's office. He shouted at her, demanding her keys, and getting impatient, he snatched them out of her jeans' waistline. The suspect then entered the vehicle. When the victim shouted for aid at that point, our hero immediately acted.
READ MORE
Viral video shows Chick-fil-A security KICKING OUT homeless man despite paying for food
Okaloosa Co Sheriff's Office official posted on Twitter, "William Branch of DeFuniak Springs is charged with #carjacking with a weapon & battery after he grabbed car keys from a woman with a baby outside Chick-fil-A on Beal Pkway and got into her car. An employee intervened after hearing the woman screaming. Branch was wielding a stick."
William Branch of DeFuniak Springs is charged with #carjacking with a weapon & battery after he grabbed car keys from a woman with a baby outside Chick-fil-A on Beal Pkway and got into her car. An employee intervened after hearing the woman screaming. Branch was wielding a stick. pic.twitter.com/J9sGh58Z2p
— OkaloosaSheriff (@OCSOALERTS) September 14, 2022
Running up to the car, Gordon grabbed Branch, put him in an aggressive headlock, and held on while he wrestled him to the ground. Gordon received a blow to the face from the suspect, according to the sheriff's office. Luckily, Gordon had no significant injuries as a consequence of his valiant efforts. Branch sprinted away from the situation when other Chick-fil-A staff members attempted to step in. But soon after, he was taken into custody and charged with violence and carjacking with a weapon.
Okaloosa Co Sheriff's Office official later posted the video on Twitter, "In reference to the FWB Chick-fil-A employee who ran to help a woman with a baby who was being carjacked, we want to say a sincere thank you to Ms Kelner for providing video of a portion of the encounter. (see prior post). A major shout-out to this young man for his courage!"
In reference to the FWB Chick-fil-A employee who ran to help a woman with a baby who was being carjacked, we want to say a sincere thank you to Ms. Kelner for providing video of a portion of the encounter. (see prior post). A major shout-out to this young man for his courage! pic.twitter.com/2Lcwe46azv
— OkaloosaSheriff (@OCSOALERTS) September 14, 2022
Gordon was originally recognized in a Facebook post from Chick-fil-A Fort Walton Beach, his place of employment. Matthew Sexton, the franchisee's owner, posted a picture of Gordon. The post read: “This is the HERO! At Chick-fil-A, our mission is to and today, Mykel took it further…to save.”
Gordon claims on his Facebook page that he has been the Speed of Service Director at Chick-fil-A since December 2016. On the same page, he states that his favorite saying is: 'Don't force other people do what you can accomplish yourself.' Gordon, a father and husband, has been lauded in the post by Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office on Facebook. One user heaped praise on Gordon saying, “Whoever this kids Momma is, well done. You raised a fabulous human and give this Mommas heart hope for the world I’m raising my babies in. He is lucky he didn’t catch the wrong momma with her CC.”
Another Facebook user commented, “Chick-fil-A is about to be even busier than normal as the entire community is gonna want to go shake this hero’s hand to say thank you for being awesome!”
One user suggested, “Hey bud, OCSO is hiring and has a cadet program my man lol.”
“This is why we have the #1 Chick Fil A in America!!!! Thank you to the employee that saved that woman and baby,” another one hailed.
Gordon was applauded, “Awesome job and WAY TO BE SO BRAVE!!”
This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.