Panera workers scuffle in mall parking lot
Published Nov. 10, 2008
A Panera Bread employee was arrested this weekend after a work-related dispute involving a gun. David Perry, 24, of Columbia was arrested early Sunday morning after he was involved in an argument with another employee over a work-related dispute, a Columbia Police Department news release stated. "Even though it was a work-related fight, when someone points a gun at you, you are primarily the victim," CPD Sgt. Candy Cornman said. The two employees worked at Panera Bread located on the 2300 block of Bernadette Drive, in the Columbia Mall. The argument started around 5:44 a.m. in the parking lot of the business. Perry drew a handgun from the waist of his pants and then proceeded to cock the semi-automatic handgun, which jammed. The victim, who police have not identified, then approached the suspect and took the handgun from him after he noticed it malfunctioned. The victim then went back inside the business with the gun and contacted Columbia Mall security and CPD was called to the scene. "He was taken into custody right away by the Columbia Police Department," Cornman said. The gun was recovered at the scene, Cornman said. Perry was arrested for second-degree assault, armed criminal action and unlawful use of a weapon.