A Memphis Taco Bell employee is now facing an aggravated assault charge after allegedly dousing a coworker with boiling water during a heated confrontation, leaving him with severe burns across his body, according to police.
The incident happened on July 18 at a Taco Bell location on Knight Arnold Road. According to an arrest affidavit, 25-year-old Makayla Henderson walked to the back of the restaurant, grabbed a pot of boiling water, and threw it directly onto victim Chris Jones before fleeing the scene.
Jones suffered second-degree burns across his arms, legs, groin, and stomach. He later underwent surgery to treat the injuries and said the burns were severe enough that his skin began peeling away from the affected areas.
Henderson claims the altercation stemmed from Jones repeatedly invading her personal space and making comments she found inappropriate, despite her asking him multiple times to back off. She alleged he also tried to grab her iPad during the confrontation. According to her account, she does not fully remember pouring the water on him, describing the moment as a blackout triggered by frustration.
Jones, however, described the incident differently, telling investigators the two had been joking around beforehand. He admitted he had hidden Henderson’s iPad earlier as a prank after she threw his shirt away, but said he never expected her to retaliate with boiling water. He said he initially believed she was only making an empty threat.
Police launched an investigation after speaking with staff members who were present at the restaurant, which led to Henderson’s arrest. She has since been ordered to complete anger management classes as part of her case proceedings.
Henderson was released on a $5,000 bond this week and is scheduled to appear in court on August 27.
Jones says he is still recovering from the physical and emotional toll of the attack, adding that regardless of the circumstances, actions like this should carry consequences.