Police: McDonald’s employee arrested after girl, father shot outside Hallandale Beach fast food restaurant

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. — A McDonald’s employee has been arrested after an 11-year-old girl and her father were shot outside a McDonald’s in Hallandale Beach, authorities announced Monday morning.

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According to police, Ralph N-Kosi Blue III, 18, was arrested on two counts of aggravated battery and two counts of aggravated assault.

According to Hallandale Beach police, the shooting happened Saturday afternoon as the victims were waiting inside their SUV as the girl’s mother went inside the McDonald’s to pick up food.

“The investigation determined this was a targeted incident that originated outside the City of Hallandale Beach and culminated in the parking lot of 835 W. Hallandale Beach Blvd., where the suspect, who was reporting to work at McDonald’s, appears to have been the only individual who fired,” HBPD confirmed Monday in a press release. “The girl and her father, who had no connection to the dispute, were struck and transported to a nearby hospital. The father has since been released, and the child remains in stable condition.”

Detectives said they learned that two other children, ages 2 and 5, were also in the SUV at the time, but neither was injured.

While police confirmed that an incident leading to the shooting occurred outside of the city, detectives have not released a motive.

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As of Monday morning, Blue was being held at the Broward County Main Jail as he awaited a bond court hearing.

“This arrest is the result of the relentless work of our detectives and the strong partnership we share with the Broward Sheriff’s Office,” Hallandale Beach police Chief Michel Michel said in statement. “A family was hurt by a reckless act of violence that had nothing to do with them. Today’s arrest is a significant step, but our investigation is far from over. We remain committed to identifying everyone involved and holding them fully accountable.”

This investigation remains ongoing and police confirmed that detectives are still “pursuing additional leads and working to identify and apprehend any other individuals involved.”

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call the Hallandale Beach Police Department Detective Bureau at 954-457-1400. Anonymous tips can be made by calling Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-8477.

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