Attorney’s sister says she’s not surprised he tried calming angry customer when he was killed

Over the weekend, tragedy struck outside a McDonald’s on Houston’s west side, where a local attorney was fatally shot while attempting to defuse a dispute with an irate customer over an order, detectives report.

Houston Police Department patrol officers rushed to the scene at 8147 Katy Freeway around 6 p.m. on Saturday following reports of the shooting.

According to investigators, the customer became agitated with McDonald’s employees regarding his order and demanded a refund. Jeffrey Limmer, aged 46 and the victim in this incident, intervened in an attempt to pacify the situation. However, the customer redirected his anger towards Limmer.

The altercation spilled outside, where Limmer allegedly pushed the customer to the ground. Subsequently, the customer retrieved a firearm from his vehicle and shot Limmer before fleeing the scene in a blue Ford pickup truck from the early 2000s.

In an exclusive interview with ABC13, Limmer’s sister, Jennifer Thomas, revealed that their parents received the heartbreaking news while attending their granddaughter’s graduation.

“Jeff loved his family and friends wholeheartedly,” Thomas shared with Eyewitness News. “He was always jovial, cracking jokes, and embracing life.”

Thomas recounted Limmer’s local ties, highlighting his frequent visits to the McDonald’s near his residence. A former quarterback for Memorial High School’s football team and an outfielder for their baseball team, Limmer pursued higher education at the University of Texas before earning his law degree from South Texas College of Law.

Employed as an associate at a Houston-area law firm, Limmer dedicated his career to aiding others, making his final act of intervention no surprise to his sister.

“Jeff was always the peacemaker, defusing tense situations by urging calmness and advocating for fairness,” Thomas remarked. “He consistently championed for the underdog and stood for what he believed was right.”

As authorities continue their search for the shooter and Limmer’s family awaits closure, Thomas expressed pride in her brother’s courageous stance.

“He was a true Samaritan, standing up against injustice and shielding McDonald’s employees from harm,” Thomas concluded.