2 dead and 5 injured in Florida Wendy's shooting

by ryan | March 3, 2008 at 10:08 am
776 views | 2 Recommendations | 2 comments

UPDATE: Tragic details have emerged surrounding the individual who was killed by the gunman.



WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - A gunman wearing a jacket and tie wordlessly and randomly opened fire inside a Wendy's during the lunchtime rush Monday, killing a firefighter who'd gone back to fetch a missing meal toy for his child and wounding five others. He then turned the gun on himself.
ADVERTISEMENT

"This was not a robbery. He didn't demand anything," said Paul Miller, a Palm Beach County sheriff's spokesman. "Looks like this was just another random shooting like we've seen around the United States."

The 42-year-old victim, a Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue lieutenant who was not in uniform, had met his wife and child at the restaurant, Deputy Fire-Rescue Chief Steve Delai said. The family had gotten their food and walked out, but the man returned because the free toy was missing from the kids' meal, he said.

The lieutenant, who had been promoted in January and was on his break from new officers' training at a building down the street, was shot in the back as he stood at the counter, Delai said.

"Our officer probably didn't even see him," Delai said, adding that the man's wife and child were still in the parking when the shooting broke out.

 

AP reports that 2 are dead, including the shooter who turned the gun on himself, and 5 are injured.



Palm Beach County sheriff's spokeswoman Teri Barbera said three of the survivors were in critical condition. Two others had minor injuries, but it was unclear if they were shot.

"I just saw a lady with a little boy in her arms come running out screaming, 'Somebody's shooting!'" said Sandra Jackson, who had been getting gas across the street. The woman said her husband was still inside, said Jackson, 43, of Palm Springs.

Several people were carried away from the restaurant on stretchers. Authorities did not identify the shooter or the victims.

Ashley Milton, 28, said she had just opened the door to get lunch when she heard the "pop pop" of gunfire and saw people running.

"I really didn't think that's what it was. I thought this can't be happening," she said. "You see your life flash before your eyes."

If you have any information please tell us.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Officials say several people have been shot at Wendy's restaurant near West Palm Beach. Palm Beach County sheriff's spokesman says the gunman may have shot himself. The gunfire broke out around lunchtime. No other information was immediately available.
recommend This comment thread is now closed
ryan
ryan
flagged this story as News Wanted

at 10:12 on March 3rd, 2008

I think this is an important story and would benefit from other NowPublic contributors working on it. I've flagged it as News Wanted and invite others in relevant locations to look for more evidence.

PEP
PEP
flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 12:15 on March 3rd, 2008

ryan nadel, I like this story. It's good stuff, although a lousy topic.

This story was created over 3 months ago, the comment thread is now closed.

closeSign in to NowPublic

is reporting from