Broward McDonald’s fight involving man, children leads to probe, conflicting accounts

DANIA BEACH, Fla. — An investigation is ongoing after a fight outside of a Broward County fast food restaurant between an adult and a group of children.

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It happened on Aug. 21 outside the McDonald’s at 1310 S. Federal Highway in Dania Beach.

“They basically jumped an old man,” said parent Yanelle Perez, who witnessed the fight. “My children saying it’s a new trend that’s happening after school.”

Perez, a mother of two children who attend nearby Olsen Middle School, was there to pick up her kids when the fight broke out, so she started filming.

“I don’t know what happened inside the McDonald’s, I just see this whole gang of kids, as you can tell in video, and this one man. It’s only one man,” she said. “This lady is running for her life, an older woman. These kids are just attacking him and you can tell he can’t help himself. It’s disgusting.”

When asked why she was sharing her video and story, she said, “I just feel like parents need to be aware.”

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Olsen Middle School Principal Janet Giancarli sent a message to parents in regard to the incident, which characterized the incident thusly:

“An adult male approached the students and initiated a physical confrontation outside of the restaurant. The Broward Sheriff’s Office responded and investigated. No one was injured.

“We understand that a video of this incident is now circulating on social media and is concerning. While the incident did not occur on school grounds or during the school day, we take any situation involving our students seriously and we will continue to work closely with law enforcement regarding this matter. The safety and well-being of our students remain our highest priority.”

Perez disputes the principal’s characterization of what happened.

“I can’t see that happening,” she said. “He was basically begging them to leave him alone.”

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