Outrage After Roadkill is Discovered Inside Chinese Restaurant Freezer

A small-town restaurant in Louisiana is at the center of a bizarre and unsettling controversy after police discovered a deer carcass—believed to be roadkill—stored inside a freezer alongside food.

The drama began on April 22, when a now-deleted Facebook post accused China Queen of skinning a dead animal behind the restaurant. The post quickly spread online and reportedly included a photo, sparking outrage and prompting multiple complaints to local authorities.

Police soon showed up.

According to the Pineville Police Department, officers were dispatched to the restaurant following the viral claims. Inside, they found a deer carcass stored in a freezer with other food items.

What they heard next only deepened the mystery.

Authorities said an individual at the restaurant told them he had found the deer on the side of the road earlier that morning around 10 a.m., believing it had been struck by a vehicle the night before. He reportedly claimed the meat was intended to be used in soup.

But here’s the catch—police couldn’t confirm whether that soup was meant for personal use or for paying customers.

And that’s where things get serious.

While eating deer meat is common in Louisiana, the law is clear: you cannot legally collect or possess roadkill without prior authorization. Officials also warned that improperly handling wild game can pose serious health risks due to rapid bacterial growth.

Now, multiple agencies are stepping in. Both the Louisiana Department of Health and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries have launched investigations into the incident.

Law enforcement says they’re taking it seriously.

“The Pineville Police Department remains committed to ensuring the safety of our citizens and visitors,” a spokesperson said, adding that they will continue assisting with the ongoing investigations.

As the backlash grew, the restaurant posted a handwritten apology on its door.

“The item involved was never intended to be served to customers, but it was improperly stored,” the note read. The owners added that the area had been fully cleaned and sanitized and that they are cooperating with health officials while correcting their procedures.

Still, questions remain—and the potential consequences are no joke.

According to Louisiana law, illegally possessing roadkill—like a deer—is considered a class four violation. That could mean fines ranging from $400 to $950, up to 120 days in jail, or both.

And this isn’t the restaurant’s first brush with health concerns.

An inspection conducted on April 1 by the Louisiana Department of Health reportedly uncovered several “critical” violations, including improper equipment materials, chemicals stored above food, and employees drinking in food prep areas. A follow-up inspection on April 8 found those issues had been corrected.