Florida chef praised by Ivanka Trump three months ago arrested for attempted murder, armed robbery
An aspiring Florida chef, who had recently been honored at the White House and praised for his incredible story of defying the odds, is now facing an attempted murder charge.
Johnny Brummit, 20, was arrested over an October 17 dispute involving his girlfriend Talia Greene-Stover, 20, and a bus station security officer that left the latter fighting for his life, according to Fox News.
After an initial altercation, Brummit and Greene-Stover had threatened the guard and left the scene, but later returned with Greene-Stover's stepfather 43-year-old James Hird Jr. The stepfather allegedly proceeded to shoot the guard several times in the jaw and shoulder, leaving him critically injured.
Brummit was taken in for questioning and is now facing charges of attempted murder, robbery with a firearm and battery on a uniformed security officer, a quick fall from grace for someone who had spoken up in front of President Donald Trump, first daughter Ivanka Trump, and several other dignitaries at the White House this past July.
The 20-year-old had graduated from Second Harvest Food Bank's 16-week culinary training program for at-risk and economically disadvantaged students and had been a prep cook at the Aloft Hotel in Orlando at the time. He had also been promoted twice in just six months.
He was invited for the first anniversary of the Trump administration's Pledge to America's Workers, which encourages companies to provide education and training, by the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Foundation, one of over 300 organizations to sign the pledge.
He was one of just three workers who spoke that day, with Ivanka praising him and telling him that he had an "amazing story."
"I can’t explain the feeling, it was unreal," he said after the event. "When I got to speak to Ivanka one-on-one that made me feel even more comfortable. Not too many people get that experience and I really enjoyed myself there."
"Our hearts are really heavy for him, his family and the victim," said Greg Higgerson, vice president of development at Second Harvest Food Bank, about his recent arrest. "He shows great promise as a professional. Unfortunately, 16 weeks in our program can teach a lot of things, but it can’t teach personal decision-making."
Brummit is currently being held without bond at the Orange County jail. Hird Jr. and Greene-Stover have also been arrested in connection to the shooting.