If you’re searching for a story to encapsulate the state of America, this should be a solid contender.

In Midvale, Utah, a man visited a McDonald’s drive-thru. Inspecting his received order, he deduced fast food workers had made a mistake.

From Salt Lake City’s KUTV:

[S]adaat Johnson, 27, became upset with…workers who prepared his “surf and turf” burger order, according to a police report. 

Johnson went back through the drive-up window and exchanged words with employees…

Sadaat had an idea of how to ensure superior service: He brandished a pistol.

At that point, employees asked Johnson to pull around to the front of the store and wait while they fixed his order.

It should come as no surprise that they dialed 911. Unified Police were soon at the scene.

The first arriving officers approached Sadaat’s Honda. They ordered him to exit the CR-X. He instead rolled down his window, so they pulled him from the car. As cops struggled with the man, a patrolman suddenly shouted:

“Gun! gun! gun!”

A single gunshot followed, then more commands rang out:

“Shots fired! Drop the gun!”

The next exclamations were unusual:

“Kid! Kid! Kid! Kid!”

Shortly after the incident, the New York Post reported:

While he was being apprehended, police said, the dad instructed [his] 4-year-old child — who was still in the vehicle — to shoot the officers. Cops said they saw a small arm and hand holding a gun appear from inside the vehicle.

A police officer hit the gun as it fired, forcing the bullet upward, and it hit a restaurant awning. 

The officer’s arm was burned by the muzzle of the gun. The round flew just above the heads of two boys in blue.

The children — of which the younger was three — were escorted into the McDonald’s. The pistol-packing preschooler told the fuzz why he busted a cap:

“I grabbed my dad’s gun and tried to shoot the police so he could be free and do what he wanted.”

The hand-cannon used by the baby was a Smith & Wesson SD9 VE:

Gun Deals: Smith & Wesson S&W SD9 VE 16+1 w/ Crimson Trace Tactical Light $389.99 https://t.co/gwIkrCFooB pic.twitter.com/B46c4byfAF

— AmmoLand News (@AmmoLand) December 14, 2020

More from CBS2:

Johnson would later tell investigators that it was not the first time his 4-year-old boy had taken his gun.

The shooting occurred back in February. In June, Sadaat pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and child abuse. He was sentenced to 120 days in jail as well as probation.

And this week, the incident’s bodycam footage was released:

Not long ago in America, children were raised to respect their elders. As for police, they were community heroes and friends.

Some might argue departmental corruption has damaged trust. But something else is occurring within the culture.

These days, forget being addressed as “sir” or “ma’am.” Watch your back — that rugrat might grab his gat and light up your geriatric jeans.

Call it a societal collapse (Language Warning):

WATCH as they two children hit and curse at Minnesota police officers.

This is the result of fatherless homes and parents misguiding their kids.

Where’s the social workers?! pic.twitter.com/9zdA2kvEJ0

— Ryan Fournier (@RyanAFournier) July 12, 2022

The country’s fate is uncertain, but don’t expect a return to civility soon.

And if you’re thinking of joining the force, maybe ask yourself this first: Are you willing to engage in firefights with perpetrators in pampers? If not, a career in law enforcement may not be for you.

-ALEX

See more content from me:

Why We Can’t Have Nice Things: ‘Good Samaritan’ Who Saved Indiana Mall Goers Is Denounced as No Hero

The Church of England Will No Longer Define the Word ‘Woman’

When Caucasians Cut Rugs: Dance School Boots Ballet Because It’s Wickedly White

Find all my RedState work here.

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