Nationwide — Johnisa Herring, a 25-year-old African American Wingstop employee in Memphis, Tennessee, has been charged with aggravated assault after allegedly throwing hot cooking oil on two customers during a payment dispute. One of the women suffered severe burns.
According to Fox 13 Memphis, police said the incident happened just after midnight on July 22 at the Wingstop on Winchester Road. Two women had arrived to pick up their order but were 61 cents short on the bill.
The disagreement quickly escalated. Investigators said Herring went into the kitchen, filled a bowl with hot cooking oil, and threw it at the customers.
One woman was struck in the face, sustaining second-degree burns on about 18% of her body. She was rushed to Regional One Health and remains hospitalized. The second woman suffered burns on her right shoulder and was treated for less serious injuries.
Authorities confirmed the argument began over the short payment and turned violent in moments.
Herring was arrested later that day and booked into jail on a $7,500 bond. Court records show she is scheduled to appear in court on August 25.