An argument over gravy at a KFC on West Craig Road turned violent Saturday afternoon when two men went behind the counter and a worker was stabbed near the drive-thru lane, police said. Officers arrested Gerald Carter, 32, and his uncle, James Carter, 48, a short distance from the restaurant.
Investigators said the disturbance began around 4:30 p.m. after a complaint about gravy in a takeout order. In arrest reports, detectives wrote that surveillance video showed the men cross into an employee area, where a scuffle unfolded with multiple staff members. One employee was stabbed during the struggle; another was placed in a chokehold. The injured worker was taken to University Medical Center. Police said the extent of the injuries was not immediately disclosed. The case drew quick attention during the holiday week and prompted a heavy response along the busy fast-food corridor west of Camino Al Norte.
According to police, Gerald Carter returned to the store more than once, saying he felt “disrespected,” before moving past the counter line. Reports state James Carter followed and swung at an employee as the confrontation escalated. Officers recovered a large folding knife from Gerald Carter’s pocket after detaining the pair on a nearby sidewalk. In a recorded interview, Gerald admitted fighting but claimed the knife never left his pocket, the report notes. Witnesses inside the dining room and drive-thru provided statements that investigators said aligned with what was captured on store cameras.
Arrest records list the location as 1318 W. Craig Road. The incident happened during a steady rush with customers inside and vehicles queued outside. Detectives documented the counter line and drive-thru window, collected time stamps from point-of-sale systems and secured copies of the surveillance footage. A KFC spokesperson expressed concern for the injured employee and said the company is cooperating with authorities. The restaurant reopened after the scene was cleared and remained on its regular schedule this week.
Both men were booked on suspicion of attempted murder with a deadly weapon and related counts. Early court entries show bail set at $100,000 for Gerald Carter and $10,000 for James Carter, with electronic monitoring required if either posts bond. Online jail logs indicated both remained in custody as of midweek. The victim’s name was withheld pending additional medical updates. Police did not announce any further arrests connected to the fight.
The corridor along Craig Road has a cluster of drive-thru restaurants and storefronts where evening traffic stays heavy. Shoppers nearby described seeing cruisers converge as officers moved in and out of the kitchen area. “It got quiet fast once the lights pulled away,” said a neighboring shop owner who watched from a doorway. By the next day, customers filtered through the dining room as usual while managers moved between the front counter and kitchen.
Next steps in the case include a preliminary hearing where prosecutors are expected to present surveillance clips, medical records and witness statements. Defense attorneys can challenge probable cause and the description of the weapon’s use. If the case is bound over, an arraignment in district court would follow. Police said updates on the employee’s condition will be released through hospital or court filings when available.
As of Friday evening, both suspects were still jailed, and authorities had not released new details on the worker’s injuries. Additional court dates will be set once the justice court calendar is updated.
Author note: Last updated January 2, 2026.