OAKWOOD, Ga. – A Georgia man who claimed to be too intoxicated to work his Thanksgiving shift at a “Steak ‘n Shake,” nevertheless showed up at the franchise hours later — apparently still drunk — clutching a gun to try and rob it, officials said.
Kentarias Gowans, 20, of Flowery Branch, went to the steakburger and hand-dipped milkshake eatery around 10 p.m. Thursday and, instead of clocking in, held a handgun to a co-worker’s head while demanding money, Oakwood Police investigator Todd Templeton told the Gainesville Times.
As a result, numerous panicked employees and patrons called 911 and police arrived less than a minute after the bizarre incident began, authorities said.
The initial arriving officers were greeted by the sight of frantic customers and workers fleeing the restaurant, police told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Officials said they soon encountered Gowans, who was apparently still intoxicated, and ordered him to drop his weapon.
Police told the paper Gowans initially began to raise his firearm at officers before throwing it to the ground.
Officers used a Taser to subdue Gowans when he struggled during the arrest, according to law enforcement authorities.
Based upon the encounter, the Georgia man appears fortunate to be alive.
Gowans faces numerous charges, including multiple counts of aggravated assault, armed robbery, public drunkenness, underage consumption of alcohol and carrying a concealed weapon, according to Hall County Jail records.
It’s unclear whether Gowans has a lawyer – or a job.
