Cops: Man dies after punch from Burger King worker

[teko]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40604515/


updated 2 hrs ago


Coroner: 67-year-old customer died of trauma to the head after fight at fast food place




DETROIT — The death of a 67-year-old Detroit Burger King customer who police say fell and later died after being punched by a 20-year-old employee has been ruled a homicide.

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..Wayne County medical examiner's office spokesman Dennis Niemiec says an autopsy conducted Friday determined that Paul Cannon died from blunt force trauma to the head.

Niemiec says the man's dentures were "not an issue" in the death. An earlier report said the punch may have caused the older man to choke on his dentures.

Police say Cannon was reportedly causing a disturbance Thursday afternoon at the restaurant on the city's east side and tried to hit the worker, who swung back.

The worker was in police custody Friday.

Burger King spokeswoman Denise Wilson said Friday that company officials were aware of the incident, and the franchise owner was cooperating with police.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

[brice1967]

Thats the only thing I can think adgal, that he didnt have to react.... I dont know as if I could not have reacted in some physical fashion.  I'd guess they would have to discuss what the old mans attack warranted.... like was the attack really a threat to a 20 year old kid.  Anything can happen in a fight.  It is unfortunate that this man died, but it too is unfortunate that he thought it necessary to attack a 20 year old kid over a hamburger.  I mean, what in the name of all things holy happened with that?  How does one get so mad over a hamburger???  Mental illness knows no bounds I guess, and there has to be some level of owning up to this on both sides.  Either or both people have some responsibility here.

When I was in the bar business, I couldnt lay an ill hand on anyone unless I was trying to defend myself from an obvious threat of harm or injury.  Even in the sense of protecting an unsuspecting customer from an attack, I easily could have been sued.I did at one time have a very large 60 year old man try to attack me.  I had to defend myself, but did just what was necessary.  Although this man tried to punch me, then grabbed me, I out wrestled him.  When I got complete control, he knew he was done.  I never managed to get the saloon sued (as I am quite the diplomat) nor did I get myself sued.  For about the last 10 years of my career in the bar business, we had a few cameras in key locations that did a great job on covering our tails.

Anyhow, with any luck... hopefully there is some video tape available for review.  

[adgal]

It does sound more like self defense to me.  If the kid was just trying to defend himself with no intent of killing or even hurting the man, it's hard to see this as a homicide.  Perhaps he didn't have to react by hitting?  There has to be more to this.

[brice1967]

specialmom, I agree.  If the old timer took a swipe at the kid, how is that a homocide???  

I dont get it.... how does a hamburger order end up in a fist fight?  It is a sad story here, but there is also a lesson to be learned.  If you cant handle a screwed up hamburger order diplomatically, you probably ought not rush to punch a much younger adversary.

[specialmom]

Good grief.  I've been fired up for my whopper before but never threw a hissy fit over it.  Who knows what happened but if the man took a swing first, how could it be a homocide?  I'm picturing his dentures going down his throat . . . don't get that but anyway, it is a sad story right before Christmas.