When one door closes, six more open. At least that was the case for a Jacksonville McDonald’s manager who was fired amid fallout from a viral video of her slapping a customer who became unruly.
Ciarrea Williams learned of her termination Tuesday, April 17, ending her eight years of employment at the popular fast-food chain following an investigation into the cellphone video, News4Jax reported. Williams said she was not given a clear reason for her firing.
“I can’t believe this,” she told the news station, still emotional.
The former manager wasn’t down in the dumps for long, however. Williams said she soon began receiving job offers from other employers who felt sympathy after learning why she unleashed on the customer.
“Maybe God let this happen to say, ‘Ciarrea, this is enough of you being at McDonald’s,’ ” she said. “All the hours you worked and days you put in, all the time you missed with your kids and family.’ Maybe today was it for me.”
The violent confrontation between Williams and the customer occurred on April 12 and was filmed by a bystander who later shared it on social media. The footage does not show what happened prior to the slap, but Williams maintains the woman was the aggressor. She told police the customer became rude and belligerent while she waited for her order, which she complained wasn’t being prepared quickly enough.
Things only escalated from there and Williams claims the woman uttered, “I can’t wait for Donald Trump to be president so I can own one of you!'” That’s when the woman allegedly used a racial slur and threw a drink at Williams, sparking an angry response.
Video of the incident shows Williams come from behind the counter and strike the woman in the face.
The former manager said she’s isn’t proud of the way she reacted and offered a public apology to her employer and her family.
“It’s embarrassing,” Williams said. “I would like to apologize to my head boss, which is my store owner, my co-workers, my team, my family and my kids.”
Williams said she believes the apology is what resulted in her receiving six different job offers. She has already interviewed with one of the companies that reached out to her.