LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) — Shena Decuir alleged she was assaulted with hot chicken by a manager at a Popeyes restaurant after receiving an incorrect order.

The incident occurred when Decuir returned to the Popeyes location on Johnston Street to address an error in her order, which she had placed via a mobile app. Upon requesting a correction or refund, a confrontation ensued with the manager, who allegedly threw the hot chicken at her, resulting in first-degree burns.

“I was assaulted. I was belittled. I mean, it was a horrible experience, and no one should have to go through that,” Decuir said, describing the encounter.

Decuir recounted that she had initially driven to the Popeyes after placing a mobile order, only to find that her order was incorrect. She returned to the drive-thru to request a correction or a refund. Decuir stated that the manager became agitated, particularly as the restaurant was nearing closing time. She claimed that the manager demanded the chicken back but did not want to provide a receipt for a refund.

“He wanted to pull me up for 25 minutes to drop the chicken. I’ve already waited over half an hour, for order, that’s not right. So that’s whenever I asked for at least a refund and it wasn’t good. From there he took the chicken. He was like, ‘well, give me the chicken’ and I was like, ‘well, can I have the receipt?’ Because I will be back for my money and to complain and I don’t think he liked that I said that,” she said. 

Decuir described the moment when the manager allegedly threw the hot chicken at her, causing burns on her neck, chest, arms, legs and feet. She immediately contacted the police, who then called EMTs to the scene. Decuir, who is disabled and recovering from a severe accident, expressed her distress over the incident, noting that she felt targeted and helpless during the confrontation.

“I’m glad it happened on camera because it’s him being a manager and knowing they have cameras and you still did that. What would happen if there wouldn’t have been cameras? And I’m helpless. I was by myself. It’s unacceptable,” she said. 

Decuir mentioned that she typically visits this particular Popeyes location to avoid issues she had experienced at another location in Abbeville. The incident has left Decuir seeking legal recourse, as she deals with the physical and emotional aftermath of the encounter. 

Lafayette police said the employee was arrested and charged with simple battery. A new opening for the manager position was posted. The director of human resources with the company tells News 10 they will have a statement by the end of the day on Wednesday. 

All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by KLFY. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat from a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by KLFY staff before being published.

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