Police in Fort Wayne, Indiana, have released surveillance footage and a statement following an altercation at a local Tim Hortons that resulted in the death of a 75-year-old customer from a heart attack. The incident occurred shortly after 8 a.m. on May 13, 2026, at the restaurant located at 3975 Ice Way.
Details of the Incident
The video shows Anita Grayson entering the establishment to address an issue with a drive-through order. After standing at the counter for about a minute, she is seen arguing with a 17-year-old female employee, with both parties gesturing intensely. A 20-year-old shift lead then intervened, repeatedly telling Grayson to leave, according to police.
When Grayson moved toward the younger employee, the shift lead placed her hands on Grayson to hold her back. Grayson then shoved the shift lead and struck her in the face. The shift lead responded by pushing Grayson backward, and the two fell to the floor in a struggle. Two other employees intervened to separate them.
Injuries and Aftermath
During the fight, Grayson grabbed the shift lead's face, leaving scratches and knocking off her glasses. She also pulled a chunk of hair from the shift lead's head, leaving a raw area on the scalp. The video highlights the hair on the floor. At 8:22 a.m., Grayson lay down on the floor, and the shift lead checked on her, bringing a cup of water. A police officer arrived and found Grayson unresponsive. Medics performed life-saving measures, but she was pronounced deceased at the hospital.
Police Statement
Police released the information to counter what they described as a dangerously false narrative that had led to significant public concern and misinformation. They emphasized that the release was in the public interest, providing facts and a clear video of the events. The Allen County Coroner's Office conducted an autopsy, with cause and manner of death pending. The case has been sent to the Allen County Prosecutor's Office for review.
Family Reaction
A segment of the footage showing Grayson being knocked over had been shared on social media by her daughter, Tawnda Grayson, who called for the arrest of the Tim Hortons workers. She stated, 'My mother was wronged in the worst way. You should not enter a coffee shop for a coffee and a doughnut and come out unalived. That is diabolical.' She added, 'That's an elderly lady. That's not how we treat our senior citizens.'
