Manager, employee’s mother charged in shooting at Belleville McDonald’s

An on-duty manager at a Belleville McDonald’s and the mother of a juvenile employee have both been charged in connection with the shooting that occurred at the restaurant Wednesday.

The manager, Kathy M. Bledsoe, 44, of Cahokia Heights, was charged one count of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, a class 4 felony offense.

The employee’s mother, Tynika R. McKinzie, 35, of Swansea, was charged with one count of aggravated battery, a class 3 felony, and one count of mob action, a class 4 felony. She was not yet in police custody as of Friday afternoon.

The shooting occurred at about 4:45 p.m. after Bledsoe instructed the employee to take trash to the dumpster at the rear of the restaurant at 125 South Belt East. When the employee refused, Bledsoe instructed her to clock out and go home, police said.

“The juvenile contacted her mother, McKinzie, who responded to the store with another juvenile female,” Lt. Col. Mark Heffernan said.

An argument ensued in the lobby area of the business until, eventually McKinzie and her daughter went behind the front counter and proceeded about 75 feet beyond it into the manager’s office.

“McKinzie battered Bledsoe in the face and head,” said Heffernan.

During the altercation, Bledsoe pulled out a gun and fired one shot, striking McKinzie in the leg, according to charging documents.

Bledsoe did not have a valid Firearm Owners Identification card for the 9 mm Smith & Wesson that was recovered at the scene, according to the charging documents. She was arrested on the scene.

McKinzie was taken to a hospital for medical treatment. She is in stable condition, police said Thursday.

Bledsoe will be transferred to the St. Clair County Jail, pending a detention hearing and further court processes, Heffernan said.

Heffernan called the incident “unfortunate and unnecessary.”

“It’s unfortunate this incident occurred. It seems individuals are quick to resort to violence to resolve disputes without consideration of the impact their actions have on the community as a whole,” Heffernan said. “This was an unnecessary incident that could have been mitigated without punches being thrown or a gun being used.”

This story was originally published July 18, 2025 at 4:50 PM.