HOUSTON, Updated 4:28 p.m. CDT July 12, 2000 -- In response to a viewer's e-mail, McDonald's has answered the question that has caused a heated debate in Houston; Willis Lee is still employed as a janitor at the fast-food chain at 5301 East Freeway.

News2Houston confirmed that Lee is still with the restaurant in the maintenance department.

Lee reportedly voluntarily left after breaking the hamburger chain's rules about carrying weapons to work after shooting two armed robbers on June 26.

In the e-mail, a customer service representative told a News2Houston viewer that the restaurant where the "unfortunate incident happened is independently owned and operated by a franchisee. This maintenance employee remains employed with this McDonald's franchisee and while this is a police matter, no charges have been filed against this employee."

The McDonald's owner, Teroy Vance, who faced the possibility of having to fire Lee, praised his employee for his quick actions.

Three men carrying rifles entered the McDonald's and held a cashier at gunpoint. Lee followed the three men and shot two of them.

Two of the suspects who were identified, Clarence Davis Winslow and Timothy Lee Martin, were taken to area hospitals and charged with aggravated robbery.

Vance told News2Houston that he was leaving his business around 11 p.m. when he heard gunshots coming from inside his McDonald's.

Vance and the other employees called Lee a hero.

Source: Click2Houston.com http://www.click2houston.com/index.html