FOX10 News reporter Natalie Williamson says Mobile Police are sorting through surveillance footage after a late-night shooting inside a Subway restaurant left one customer hospitalized and a 31-year-old employee facing a felony charge. According to Williamson’s report, investigators believe an argument over a food order escalated fast, turned physical, and ended with gunfire near the front door of the restaurant.
Police say the employee, identified as Markeas Bernard, was arrested at the scene and later booked on a first-degree assault charge. The customer who was shot was initially listed in life-threatening condition, but Mobile Police now say he is stable.
Williamson said officers also confirmed there was one other customer inside the Subway at the time of the shooting, and that person was not injured.
In a case like this, the public wants a clean storyline – who started it, who crossed the line, and whether it was self-defense or rage. But Williamson’s reporting makes clear that, at least right now, investigators are still piecing together key moments from video and witness statements, and the “why” behind the argument remains unclear.
A Late-Night Order Turns Into A Chaotic Scene
Williamson reported from Mobile Police headquarters as anchors introduced the story, saying the shooting happened at a Subway on Dauphin Street. Police told FOX10 it happened at around 10 p.m. and began as an argument between a customer and an employee.
Williamson said a spokesperson for Mobile Police told her the customer walked inside to order food, got upset about something, and began throwing objects at Bernard. She reported that police said the dispute then turned into a fight, and that’s when the employee opened fire.
The scene left behind a mess that helps illustrate how quickly things unraveled. Williamson described bags of chips on the floor, a rack knocked over, and an upside-down chair – details that paint a picture of a small space that became a sudden conflict zone.
And that’s the part people forget when they watch these cases unfold from the outside. A Subway is tight quarters. When someone starts throwing chairs and objects, there isn’t much room to create distance, and the usual “just walk away” advice can feel unrealistic in the moment, especially for the worker who can’t simply abandon the counter and the store.
What Police Say Happened Inside The Restaurant
Williamson said it’s still unclear what started the argument. That detail matters because it leaves a wide range of possibilities on the table, from a simple misunderstanding to a more heated conflict that built for longer than anyone realized.
What police say they do know, according to Williamson, is that the customer allegedly picked up a chair and other items and threw them at Bernard.
Williamson also reported that Mobile Police confirmed they have surveillance video and are reviewing it as part of the investigation. That footage may end up being the central piece of evidence, not because video always tells the full story, but because it can lock down the timeline – who moved first, who retreated, and where each person was standing when the shots were fired.
Williamson included one important caution: a person with knowledge of what happened told FOX10 News the customer jumped over the counter, but Mobile Police did not confirm that detail.
That’s an early example of how rumors start to fill the gaps when information is incomplete. The “jumped the counter” detail is huge if it’s true, because it suggests a physical advance into the employee’s workspace. But until police confirm it, it remains an allegation floating around the edges of the story.
Still, Williamson said police told her the two ended up near the front door, and that’s where Bernard fired.
The Arrest, The Charge, And The Victim’s Condition
Williamson reported that Bernard stayed at the scene and was arrested. That detail can cut different ways. Some people see it as a sign he didn’t think he did anything wrong. Others see it as the simplest reality: in a restaurant with cameras, witnesses, and police already en route, there’s nowhere to disappear to.
Police told FOX10 the customer was rushed to the hospital with life-threatening injuries, but is now in stable condition.
Williamson also reported that jail records show Bernard’s bond is set at $30,000.
And in an update Williamson shared, Bernard pleaded not guilty, and a judge set a preliminary hearing for March 31.
That’s where the legal process starts to shape what happens next. A preliminary hearing isn’t a trial, but it can reveal what the state believes it can prove, what evidence exists, and how strong the defense might be. In a case involving a fight, thrown objects, and a shooting, the legal questions usually hinge on reasonableness – what threat was present, whether it was escalating, and whether the response was legally justified.
The Bigger Question Hanging Over The Case
Williamson’s report is essentially a snapshot of a moment right after the chaos, with police still building the timeline. But the broader issue it raises is one a lot of people are worried about: how fast everyday conflicts are turning violent in public spaces.
A sandwich order is not supposed to be a life-or-death event. Yet here, police are describing a scene where a customer allegedly threw a chair, a fight broke out, and an employee pulled out a gun at the door.
Even if the employee ultimately argues self-defense, it’s still alarming that we’ve reached a point where retail and fast-food workers are in situations that resemble street fights, not customer service disputes.
And it’s also a reminder that violence in small spaces doesn’t stay contained. Williamson noted there was another customer inside the Subway during the shooting. That person wasn’t injured, but being “not injured” isn’t the same as being unaffected. Stray bullets, panic, and stampedes are real risks when guns come out in a crowded store, even a small one.
What Comes Next As Police Review Video
Williamson said Mobile Police are reviewing surveillance footage, and that’s likely where the next major updates will come from.
If the video shows the customer continuing to attack, cornering the employee, or rushing behind the counter, the case could start to look more like self-defense in the eyes of some viewers. If it shows the fight ending or the customer retreating when shots were fired, public opinion could swing the other way quickly.
For now, Williamson’s reporting keeps the focus on what police say they can confirm: an argument, objects thrown, a physical fight, gunfire near the front door, an employee arrested, and a customer who survived.
It’s a messy story with a simple headline, and the uncomfortable truth is that these are the kinds of incidents that make communities feel on edge – because they show how thin the line can be between a normal night out and a moment that changes multiple lives in seconds.
Gary’s love for adventure and preparedness stems from his background as a former Army medic. Having served in remote locations around the world, he knows the importance of being ready for any situation, whether in the wilderness or urban environments. Gary’s practical medical expertise blends with his passion for outdoor survival, making him an expert in both emergency medical care and rugged, off-the-grid living. He writes to equip readers with the skills needed to stay safe and resilient in any scenario.
