Wendy's Massacre
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The Wendy's Massacre was a brutal killing that took place in a Wendy's fast-food restaurant at 40-12 Main Street in Flushing, Queens, New York, on May 24, 2000.
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[edit] Robbery and execution of employees
The killings were carried out by 36-year-old John Taylor, a former employee of the restaurant, and his accomplice Craig Godineaux. The robbery was carefully planned, as Taylor had the manager (whom he knew) of the restaurant summon the entire staff to the basement on the pretense of having a meeting. Once in the basement, Taylor and Godineaux bound and gagged all seven employees at gunpoint and shot each of them in the head at point-blank range with a .380 caliber Bryco semi-automatic pistol. Five of the employees died, but miraculously two survived. One of the survivors dialed 9-1-1, and police arrived to find the victims and discovered $2,400 missing from the safe.
[edit] Arrests and trial
Acting quickly, the NYPD arrested Taylor and Godineaux less than 48 hours after the killings. Evidence quickly mounted against the pair, including eyewitness testimony, ballistics, and fingerprints. On January 22, 2001, Godineaux pleaded guilty and was later sentenced to life in prison. On November 19, 2002, Taylor was convicted on 20 counts of murder and attempted murder. One week later, on November 26, the jury sentenced Taylor to death.[1]. As of 2006, Taylor, now 42, is still on death row awaiting appeal.[2]
[edit] Victims
Killed in the massacre were:
- Jean Auguste, 27
- Ali Ibadat, 40
- Jeremy Mele, 19
- Ramon Nazario, 44
- Anita Smith, 23
In addition, Ja Quione Johnson, 18, and Patricio (Patrick) Castro, 23, were seriously wounded.
[edit] References
1. McFadden, Robert D. "2 Men Arrested in Killing of 5 at Restaurant." New York Times May 27, 2000, A1.
