Gwinnett County

Witnesses say man pulled gun on Waffle House workers after order mix-up

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — A man is behind bars after an order mix-up at a Waffle House led to a fight.

Witnesses say the irate customer pulled a gun on employees, but the man claims it was self-defense.

Gwinnett County police say Elandrous Peoples came into the restaurant on Bethesda School Road near Lawrenceville on Nov. 5 and ordered his food.

A man is accused of pulling a gun on workers inside this Gwinnett County Waffle House.

When his order wasn’t correct, he became upset.

“Once he received the order, he said it wasn't correct and he became irate,” Office Nathan Ropski said.

He argued with an employee and then went behind the counter.

Four employees in the restaurant reportedly tried to get Peoples out of the kitchen area, and that’s when he pulled a loaded gun, police said.

“Yes, there was a clip in and there was a round in the chamber,” Ropski said.

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Police say Peoples tried to shoot, but workers had their hands on the weapon and it wouldn't fire.

The struggle continued until the employees grabbed the gun and held their unhappy customer on the ground until police came.

“My client, Mr. Peoples, acted in self-defense. He was accosted by not one, not two, not three, but four different people,” defense attorney Scott Drake said.

Police say Elandrous Peoples was upset that his order wasn't correct.

In a court hearing on Thursday, the judge didn't buy Peoples' defense and held him without bond on four counts of aggravated assault.

“If he had a complaint with his order, or not receiving the merchandise that he paid for, that certainly wasn't the way to go about it,” prosecutor Mike DeTardo said.

Waffle House sent Channel 2’s Tony Thomas the following statement about the incident:

"We commend our associates for their quick thinking and heroic actions. They quickly assessed the situation and took steps to keep our customers and employees safe. We are relieved no one was injured."