19-Year-Old Dunkin’ Donuts Employee Hospitalized After Brutal Attack

FORT MYERS, FLORIDA — A teenage barista was severely attacked by a group of women at a Dunkin’ Donuts in Fort Myers’ Whiskey Creek community. The 19-year-old employee had to be hospitalized due to the severity of her injuries.

According to her family, the assailants were related to a former employee and entered the shop around 1 p.m. Their motive remains unclear. The confrontation escalated when the young worker asked the group to leave, leading to the violent assault.

A disturbing video shows the prolonged attack on the teenager, with some colleagues trying to intervene without much success. The assault halted briefly before resuming again. The aggressors eventually left the premises, and the severely injured girl was sent to the hospital. The Lee County Sheriff’s Office is actively investigating.

Two suspects, Cassie Smith and Janiya Wingate, both 19, have been arrested. Smith faces charges including Battery Touch or Strike, Grand Theft, and Criminal Mischief, while Wingate is charged with Battery.

The girl’s mother released the following statement as her daughter continues to recover in the hospital:

“As a family, we are deeply saddened and disturbed by the recent incident that occurred at Dunkin’ Donuts, where our daughter was viciously attacked by a group of individuals. Our daughter was simply doing her job when the group of women jumped over the counter, initiating the assault. What followed was a horrifying and traumatic experience for her.

“We would like to express our gratitude to the employees and customers who intervened and assisted our daughter during this distressing incident. Their quick actions and support are a testament to the strength and kindness within our community. We would also like to thank local law enforcement for their prompt response and dedication to this case.”