Police in Fort Wayne, Indiana, are investigating the death of 75-year-old Anita Grayson after an altercation at a local Tim Hortons location. Authorities say the incident began over a dispute with an order and escalated into a physical confrontation with store employees.
According to a news release from the Fort Wayne Police Department, officers responded last week to reports of a battery involving Grayson and a 20-year-old Tim Hortons worker. The names of the employees involved have not been released.
Incident Details at Tim Hortons
Police said Grayson entered the store to “address an issue with an order she had received through the drive-thru.” While inside, she allegedly began berating a 17-year-old female employee. A 20-year-old shift lead intervened, reportedly placing her hands on Grayson to prevent her from reaching the younger employee.
Authorities allege that Grayson then shoved the shift lead and struck her in the face. Security footage released by police shows the struggle between Grayson and the employee on the floor of the restaurant.
During the altercation, the shift lead reportedly suffered scratches and had a portion of her hair pulled out. Police said Grayson picked up the hair from the floor and placed it on her bag before laying down on the floor. The shift lead reportedly checked on Grayson and gave her a cup of water.
Death and Investigation
When officers arrived, Grayson was found unresponsive and was transported to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
The Fort Wayne Police Department emphasized that the circumstances surrounding the death are unclear and require a thorough and professional investigation. No arrests have been made, and the official cause of death has not yet been determined.
In a statement to USA TODAY, Tim Hortons confirmed that the local franchisee is cooperating with law enforcement. The company expressed condolences:
“We were deeply saddened to learn about this incident, and our heartfelt condolences go out to the loved ones of Anita Grayson.”
Summary Table of Key Events
| Event | Date | Location | Details | Notable Quotes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Incident Occurs | May 2026 | Tim Hortons, Fort Wayne, IN | Grayson disputes an order, physical altercation ensues | N/A |
| Employees Involved | May 2026 | Tim Hortons | 17-year-old employee and 20-year-old shift lead | N/A |
| Physical Confrontation | May 2026 | Tim Hortons | Grayson allegedly shoves and strikes shift lead; hair pulled | Security footage shows altercation |
| Emergency Response | May 2026 | Fort Wayne Hospital | Grayson found unresponsive, pronounced dead | N/A |
| Investigation Statement | May 2026 | Fort Wayne Police | Cause of death pending, no arrests made | “Any loss of life is tragic…circumstances must be thoroughly investigated.” |
| Tim Hortons Response | May 2026 | Fort Wayne, IN | Franchisee cooperating with police | “Our heartfelt condolences go out to the loved ones of Anita Grayson.” |
The incident at the Fort Wayne Tim Hortons serves as a tragic reminder of how quickly disputes can escalate into life-threatening situations. Police are continuing their investigation to determine the cause of Anita Grayson’s death.
Meanwhile, the restaurant chain is cooperating fully with law enforcement, and no arrests have been made. The outcome of the investigation will be closely watched by both local authorities and the public, as officials seek to understand the chain of events that led to this fatal encounter.
