PICTURED: Fierce McDonald's employee and former boxer who fought back against a violent homeless man who grabbed and yanked her across the counter because he didn't get a STRAW

A female McDonald's employee who courageously fought back against a homeless man who grabbed and yanked her across a counter has been identified.

Yasmine James, has received an abundance of love and support online from friends and strangers alike after a video went viral showing Daniel Taylor, 40, as he lunged at her then nearly dragged her across the counter Monday at the St. Petersburg, Florida McDonald's she works at.  

Kinie Biandudi, one of the witnesses who filmed the shocking altercation and shared it on Facebook, posted an update on the matter Wednesday afternoon.

Biandudi said: 'The employee was not fired! This really did happen last night for all those asking me... it all started because he wanted a straw!!!'

The witness added that the employee, who is seen in the video throwing punches at the man to defend herself in the New Year's Eve attack, used to to be a boxer.

The perpetrator has been charged with two counts of simple battery for the shocking altercation that he initiated.

In the video that went viral, Taylor grabs James by her shirt collar and nearly drags her across the counter. But she soon resists - pulls him back, then frantically punches him in retaliation.

The video shows homeless man Daniel Taylor, 40, as he lungs at James then nearly drags her across the counter Monday at the St. Petersburg, Florida McDonald's she works at

James fights back after the homeless man grabbed her and nearly dragged her across the counter

People in the background are heard as they ask for the police as the woman pummels the man and demands that he 'stops playing with her.' 

Taylor, from West Virginia, has been charged with two counts of simple battery for the shocking altercation

A coworker appears to try to pull the woman off the man but her grip is tight.

He rushes over to Taylor and manages to separate the two.

The irate employee also screams obscenities at her assailant. 

At that moment, the manager comes over to 'assess' the situation and asks the customer what was wrong with his order. 

As the woman calms herself down and looked for her phone, a battered Taylor screams: 'I want her a** fired.' 

The employee was not fired.  

Taylor, however, was detained New Year's Day and booked to the Pinellas County Jail. He is charged with two counts of simple battery.

As James calms herself down and looked for her phone, a battered Taylor screams: 'I want her a** fired'

The shocking altercation brought on by the middle-aged man was said to have started over a straw

But the woman quickly retorted: 'No, you're going to jail!' 

Taylor then asserts that he was simply asking a question before adding 'b***h' as the clip comes to an end. 

The transient was detained on New Year's Day and booked at the Pinellas County jail, according to court documents.  

Taylor - who is between 5'7" and 5"8 and approximately 160lbs - is being held on a $1,000 bond and was also found to have owed a $11 commissary charge, jail records have indicated. 

The West Virginia native was instructed to stay away from the victim and the eatery. 

On Facebook Tuesday, a woman believed to be Taylor's mother posted that her son had been 'homeless for sometime' and 'hasn't been able to find a job.' 

McDonald's could not be reached for comment on the matter.

On Facebook, a woman believed to be Taylor's mother posted on Tuesday that her son had been 'homeless for sometime' and 'hasn't been able to find a job'