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FLORENCE, SC — A violent confrontation broke out at a Florence fast food restaurant when a man armed with an AK-47-style rifle entered and opened fire on a teenage employee, sending shockwaves through a busy commercial district that sees thousands of customers daily.

The incident occurred around 7:30 p.m. on May 11, 2025, at Cook Out, a popular regional chain located at 2007 South Irby Street. According to the Florence County Sheriff’s Office, 24-year-old Daquan Markel Brown allegedly entered the restaurant with an AK-47 style rifle and began firing at 17-year-old Eugene Travis McClease, Jr., who was working behind the counter.

McClease, armed with a handgun, returned fire and struck Brown as he attempted to flee. Brown was treated for a gunshot wound and later released. Both he and McClease have been charged with Attempted Murder and Possession of a Weapon During the Commission of a Violent Crime.

The fact that an assailant entered a fast food restaurant armed with an AK-47-style weapon is not just startling—it’s a sobering reality check. This wasn’t a dark alley or a crime-ridden backstreet. This was a busy stretch of South Irby Street on a Sunday evening, a time when many families are out finishing errands or grabbing a quick bite to eat. The area is surrounded by familiar names like Zaxby’s, Taco Bell, and Walmart—places where people expect convenience, not chaos.

For concealed carriers, this incident drives home a critical lesson: violence can erupt anywhere. When dining out or spending time in public spaces, it’s vital to stay alert. Know your exits. Consider where you sit. Keep your head up—not buried in your phone. And above all, mentally run through scenarios like this so that if the unthinkable happens, your response can be quick and instinctive, rooted in training and awareness.

You won’t always get a warning. But running scenarios in your mind, thinking through the “what ifs,” and staying mentally prepared can make all the difference when seconds count.