ANKENY — Most customers who get the wrong McDonald’s order ask for a replacement, grumble about missing fries or head home hungry. But police say one Iowa man’s frustration over a mistaken order took a terrifying turn Thursday night, November 5, 2026, when he allegedly opened fire through a drive-through window, injuring two employees.
Hassan Ali Mohamed, 25, of Des Moines, is accused of firing shots at workers at the McDonald’s at 2502 SE Delaware Avenue in Ankeny. The incident left one worker wounded in the arm, a second grazed by a bullet and Mohamed facing six felony charges, including two counts of attempted murder.
According to Ankeny police, officers responded around 10:30 p.m. after multiple 911 callers reported that someone in a vehicle had fired into the restaurant’s drive-through window. The vehicle had left by the time officers arrived.
Officers found a male employee suffering from a gunshot wound to his arm and began emergency treatment. Ankeny Fire Department medics transported him to a hospital. Police said he was expected to survive.
A second male employee was grazed by a bullet. He was evaluated at the scene and did not require transportation to a hospital.
Investigators said the preliminary evidence points to a dispute over a food order that the customer believed was incorrect. Police said the injured employees did not know the suspect. Authorities have not identified the specific ordering mistake or disclosed how many shots were fired.
Surveillance footage helps police track the suspect
Police used restaurant surveillance video and automated license plate reader technology to identify a suspect vehicle and Mohamed, authorities said.
Investigators located him about an hour after the shooting at WoodSpring Suites, 6703 SE Bellagio Drive in Ankeny. He was arrested without further incident, with assistance from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Two attempted murder charges filed
Polk County Jail booking records identify the suspect as Hassan Ali Mohamed, 25, inmate number 1390741. He was booked at 5:56 a.m. Friday, November 6, following his arrest by Ankeny police.
The jail record lists two Class B felony counts of attempted murder under Iowa Code 707.11(1), two Class C felony counts of intimidation with a dangerous weapon under Iowa Code 708.6(1), one Class C felony count of willful injury causing serious injury under Iowa Code 708.4(1), and one Class D felony count of willful injury causing bodily injury under Iowa Code 708.4(2).
The booking record listed no bail at that time. That designation does not necessarily reflect any subsequent decision by a judge.
Authorities said there was no continuing threat to the public after the arrest. The investigation remains active, and additional details about the confrontation and firearm have not been released.
Mohamed is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.