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An 18-year-old former McDonald's employee is facing multiple felony charges after surveillance video showed him opening fire in a restaurant parking lot Saturday, allegedly wounding a man and his young daughter who were sitting in a nearby vehicle. McDonald's Employee Ralph Blue Charged in Hallandale Beach Shooting.
Ralph N-Kosi Blue III was booked into the Broward County Jail and charged with two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill, according to jail records. He is being held without bond.
Hallandale Beach Police say the shooting was not random. Detectives describe it as a targeted confrontation that began outside the Hallandale Beach and continued into the McDonald's parking lot.
Surveillance footage shows Blue walking toward the McDonald's while repeatedly glancing behind him. A second person then exited a parked car and ran toward him. Blue drew a handgun and fired multiple shots as the man took cover behind a vehicle. Blue then walked into the McDonald's, while the other man fled the scene on foot. Police say Blue was the only person who fired a weapon, and have not released the identity of the man who approached him.
While the confrontation unfolded, a family was waiting nearby for a food order. A father and his four children — ages 11, 5 and 2, along with the mother who had gone inside to pick up the order — were in an SUV in the parking lot.
Police said the father was shot in the hip, and his 11-year-old daughter was shot in the head. The two younger children, ages 2 and 5, were not hit.
Cameras later showed a bullet hole in the rear driver's-side window of the family's SUV.
Both the father and daughter were rushed to the hospital. He has since been released. His daughter remains in the intensive care unit at Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital in Hollywood, where she continues to recover.
Bystanders near the restaurant described the panic that followed the gunfire.
"I heard somebody screaming outside," said Oscar Odero, who works nearby.
Another witness, identified only as Carlos, said the shooting happened in seconds. "It was just two gunshots, all I saw was the police swarm the place and the suspect took off running," he said.
The owner of the McDonald's location confirmed Monday that Blue is no longer employed there. Police have not released further information about the unidentified man Blue allegedly fired at, and the investigation remains active.
The factual information above was sourced from nbcmiami.com as of June 30, 2026.
The attorney commentary below is not specifically about the case reported above. Attorney commentary provided is information about these types of cases in the justice system.
When gunfire breaks out on the grounds of a restaurant or retail location, the people most often hurt are not those involved in the dispute, but customers who simply happened to be there. Families left with medical bills, hospital stays, and lasting trauma often don't realize that businesses can sometimes share responsibility for what happened, separate from any criminal charges filed against a shooter. To better understand how Florida law addresses these situations, crime victim attorney Michael Haggard discusses the legal options available to families harmed in incidents like these and the steps they should take to protect their rights.
Editor Darla Medina: When someone is injured by gunfire while on a business's property — through no fault of their own — what are their first legal considerations?
Attorney Michael Haggard: The first thing to understand is that businesses open to the public have a legal duty to provide reasonably safe conditions for their customers. That includes taking reasonable steps to prevent foreseeable violence. So the questions we start asking are: Was there a history of crime at or near this location? Did the business have adequate security measures? Were there warning signs that should have prompted additional precautions?
Medina: So liability isn't necessarily limited to the shooter?
Haggard: Correct. The shooter bears criminal responsibility, and potentially civil liability as well, but property owners and businesses can also be held accountable in a separate civil claim if their negligence contributed to the harm. This is often called premises liability. If a location has a known pattern of criminal activity and the business didn't take reasonable steps such as adequate lighting, security personnel, or cameras, that can factor into a claim.
Medina: What about medical costs for families who weren't involved in the altercation but were simply present?
Haggard: That's exactly the kind of case where civil claims matter most. Innocent bystanders, especially children, often face significant medical expenses, ongoing treatment, and long-term psychological effects. A civil claim can help recover costs for medical care, rehabilitation, lost wages for parents who must take time off work, pain and suffering, and future care needs. Criminal proceedings against a shooter don't typically compensate victims directly. Civil court is where families can pursue financial recovery.
Medina: What should a family do in the days immediately following an incident like this?
Haggard: Document everything. Keep records of medical treatment, follow every recommendation from doctors, and avoid giving recorded statements to insurance companies without legal guidance. Families should also consult with an attorney early, because evidence such as surveillance footage, security records, and witness statements can disappear or become harder to obtain over time.
Medina: Is there a time limit on filing these kinds of claims in Florida?
Haggard: Yes. Florida law generally allows a limited window to file a civil lawsuit, so it's important not to wait. Even while a criminal case is proceeding, families retain the right to pursue a separate civil case for damages.
If you or a loved one was injured in a shooting or other act of violence while on someone else's property, you don't have to face the legal and financial aftermath alone. The Legal Herald can connect you with an experienced attorney who understands how to hold negligent property owners accountable and fight for the compensation your family deserves. Reach out today for a free, no-obligation consultation, and take the first step toward securing the answers and support you need.
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