A Georgia man, Jordan Alexander Duncan, has been sentenced to three years in prison for an unusual and disturbing incident at a Popeyes restaurant in Macon. The 25-year-old, previously employed at the same Popeyes location, pled guilty to aggravated battery for throwing a pot of hot grease at a fellow employee in November 2021.

According to reports from The Telegraph, Duncan visited the Popeyes to collect his last paycheck. However, the situation took a violent turn when he allegedly dipped a pot into the fryer and hurled its scalding contents at Kelvin Early, another employee. Early suffered second and third-degree burns as a result of the attack.

During court proceedings, Duncan's motivation for the assault, especially targeting Early, remained unclear. While Duncan, his lawyer, and his mother cited struggles with mental health and substance abuse, specific details about the incident's trigger were not provided.

Acknowledging the need for change, Duncan expressed his commitment to personal improvement in court. Although Early was not present for the sentencing, prosecutors conveyed his desire for Duncan to face consequences for the crime.

The sentence handed down by the Bibb County Superior Court Judge includes a directive for Duncan to stay away from both Early and the Popeyes restaurant. This unusual case sheds light on the complexities of mental health and substance abuse issues, intertwining with legal consequences for impulsive and harmful actions.

Duncan's past, as a former Army reservist with a previous arrest in 2018 for driving under the influence, possessing a stolen gun, and drug-related charges, adds layers to the narrative. As the community grapples with the aftermath of this unsettling event, it prompts reflection on the intersection of personal struggles and criminal behavior.