HOUSTON, TX – A man convicted of fatally shooting a Houston attorney inside a fast-food restaurant will spend the rest of his life in prison following a swift conviction this week.

Anthony Landry, 59, was sentenced Thursday to life behind bars for the murder of 46-year-old Jeffrey Limmer. The verdict and sentencing come after a Harris County jury deliberated for just 20 minutes on Wednesday before returning a guilty verdict.

The deadly encounter unfolded on May 4, 2024, inside a bustling McDonald’s along the Katy Freeway. Authorities say the incident began when Landry became angered over a missing patty in his Filet-O-Fish sandwich and demanded a $1.41 refund from employees.

Witnesses described a tense scene as Landry grew increasingly agitated, reportedly raising his voice and confronting staff members. It was at this point that Limmer, an attorney and frequent customer who lived nearby, attempted to step in and deescalate the argument.

According to investigators, Limmer tried to defuse the confrontation by urging Landry to leave the restaurant. During the exchange, Limmer physically guided Landry out the door, causing Landry to stumble and fall outside.

What happened next would have lethal consequences. Landry returned to his vehicle, retrieved a handgun, and re-entered the restaurant. There, he fired nine shots at Limmer in front of employees and other customers, authorities said.

Despite attempts by bystanders to aid Limmer, he was pronounced dead at the scene. The Houston Police Department identified Landry as the suspect and launched a search for his whereabouts in the days following the shooting.

Approximately a week after the shooting, Landry surrendered to law enforcement.

Limmer was known for his efforts to help others, family members said. He worked as an associate attorney at a local Houston law firm and, according to his relatives, often sought to calm confrontations and support those facing difficult situations.

His sister reflected on Limmer’s character, describing him as someone who valued justice, loved his community, and was always quick to bring levity to those around him.

Court documents also revealed that Landry had a prior criminal history. At the time of the shooting, he was out on bond for an aggravated assault charge involving a separate incident from February, in which he was accused of striking a family member with a cane.

Thursday’s sentencing closes a high-profile case that shocked local residents and brought renewed focus to the dangers faced by bystanders who step in to help during volatile situations.