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Independence Wendy's employee explains her decision to fight back

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Days after a confrontation with frustrated customers turned violent, 19-year-old Wendy’s manager Tori Repine has two black eyes, scars and bruises.

The fight happened on Sunday afternoon at the Wendy’s off Highway 40, and Repine said it all began after a customer demanded a straw.

“I just got done with the order,” she explained. “I go to the window. She says, 'We've been waiting all day. Give us a [expletive] straw."

What happened next was all captured on a surveillance camera at the restaurant. Repine said two customers proceeded to punch her and pull her hair before she was able to wrestle away.

Being three months pregnant, Repine became concerned when blood started dripping down her legs.

“I was angry. I was infuriated," she explained. “I already thought, 'You hurt my baby. I'm bleeding. I feel it. I'm going to get you.’"

After the customers tried to pull Repine out from the drive-thru window, Repine said she chose to jump out the window herself and fight back. After landing on her stomach, Repine said the customers continued to attack and kick her. She explained that she was able to bite one of the attackers and grab one of their fingernails.

“If I hadn't done that, maybe all they would have is the license plate and the address linking back to the license plate,” she said.

Police are continuing to search for the suspects. According to a police report, the suspects are described as two black females who were inside a purple Dodge Charger at the time of the attack.

A day after Independence police released surveillance video of the fight, Repine said she has faced backlash on social media sites for fighting back.

“I had a lot of people blowing up my phone, calling me a bunch of things, saying I lied," she said.

Her mother, Heather Salcedo, said the entire incident could have been avoided.

“This still happened over a straw,” she said. “A straw that they could have gotten themselves."

Now knowing her unborn baby will be OK, Repine said it may have been a mistake fighting back. However, she said it was a decision she does not regret.

“It’s kind of like that fight or flight. I picked fight,” Repine explained. “For me in that moment, that was my baby that was almost lost. I am fighting back."

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Tom Dempsey can be reached at Tom.Dempsey@KSHB.com.

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