Chipotle customer shoots worker over skimpy guacamole, MI cops say. He’s prison-bound
A man accused of shooting a Chipotle worker because he was upset about his guacamole portion will now serve prison time, according to Michigan officials and news reports.
Aaron Brown, who in October pleaded no contest to charges involving the April 2024 shooting at a Chipotle in Southfield, was recently sentenced in Oakland County Circuit Court, WDIV reported.
He will serve 1 to 10 years in prison on assault-related charges, as well as an extra two years for firearm charges, according to WWJ-AM, which cited the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office.
Southfield Police Chief Elvin Barren said Brown was at the Chipotle with his wife, and he became upset over a guacamole portion he believed was too small, The Detroit News reported. The customer then called the female worker a derogatory word, and her co-workers took her to the kitchen to “avoid any further conflict,” the police chief said.
Brown went behind the counter to serve his own food, at which point a 21-year-old male worker confronted him, according to WWJ-TV.
“Then (Brown) immediately grabs him by the neck and slams him into the refrigerator. Certainly, he is much bigger than the 21-year-old victim,” Barren said in a press briefing, WWJ reported. “But the coward that he is, he pulls out a handgun and shoots him, so it makes no sense, and we will hold him accountable.”
Police said the employee, who was shot in the leg, was “expected to make a full recovery,” according to WWJ.
Even after shooting the worker, Brown remained calm as he picked up his food order and left the store, Barren said, The Detroit News reported.
“He took his time getting out… probably 30 seconds after (the shot was fired),” Michael Beals, a customer who recorded the incident, told WJBK. “I was in my car and I saw him just walk out to his car, close the door, and just drive off – he didn’t speed off or anything, it was weird to see.”
Police said Brown was taken into custody the same day of the shooting, WDIV reported.
“You add the fact that this happened right across the street from the police station,” Barren said, according to WDIV. “So, what’s the nerve of that? You think you are going to get away with it?”
Now, 33-year-old Brown is set to go to prison.
“The victim in this case was shot in the leg for simply doing his job. That is unacceptable,” Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald said in a statement to WLNS. “This was a serious crime, and Aaron Brown will serve serious prison time for his actions. This sentence provides the victim with justice.”
Southfield is a northwest suburb of Detroit.
This story was originally published March 4, 2025 at 9:25 AM with the headline "Chipotle customer shoots worker over skimpy guacamole, MI cops say. He’s prison-bound."