DAVIE, FLA. (WSVN) - Police are investigating a shooting in the parking lot of a Pollo Tropical in Davie that, they said, left one person dead, Friday afternoon.
Officials said they have detained one suspect in the shooting, which happened at around 1:45 p.m.
Police believe that the incident started as an argument between two men inside the restaurant. Detectives said the men then moved outside to the parking lot and continued to exchange words.
“The two gentlemen started arguing next me, and I didn’t really know what it was about. It started to get louder and louder and escalate,” said one customer. “The one guy, who I believe ended up getting shot, was telling the other guy, if they have a problem, to please take it outside. You can’t allow a stupid altercation like that to turn into something more than it should it be.”
He also said the victim left first and the accused gunman ate his meal before heading outside.
Police said the argument escalated to a physical fight, and one man pulled a gun, firing at the other man.
“A physical altercation ensued in the parking lot. A gun was displayed, and a person was shot,” said Davie Police Department Capt. Dale Engle. “The victim was shot at least one time in the chest, he is since deceased.”
The cause of the altercation remains unknown.
“All I heard was gunshots. I was waiting in line to order food, and I didn’t see anything. All I heard were gunshots,” said another customer.
“I heard a shotgun. Bang, bang, bang,” said one customer.
The victim was at the restaurant with a co-worker at the time. After the shooting, the co-worker drove the victim to a nearby gas station.
“He was with a co-worker, and the co-worker got him into the truck, and he fled the scene to try to protect him as best that he could,” said Engle. “They left Pollo Tropical, they drove here, and then they sought assistance from people and called police.”
“I hear the guy. He was like crying and yelling,” said Simo Boukhar, a gas station attendant.
Boukhar said the victim was, at first, conscious and moving.
The mother of the co-worker was overcome with emotion after her son witnessed his colleague gunned down.
“So I was trying to calm her down where she could relax because she’s a wreck. You can imagine if your son witnesses something like that,” said Sherry Robbins, a bystander.
Paramedics transported the victim from the gas station to Broward Health Medical Center, in Fort Lauderdale, where he later died.
The accused shooter gave himself up to police while in the parking lot, according to authorities.
Pollo Tropical released a statement that said they were heartbroken over a “senseless act” and are thankful to the police for acting quickly.
“We are heartbroken to learn that the victim in this senseless shooting has died, and our hearts go out to his family and loved ones. We thank the police for their quick action in apprehending the suspect and are assisting in their investigation,” they said.
Police have cordoned off the restaurant as well as a nearby gas station located at the Tower Shops off University Drive, just south of Interstate 595, as they continue to investigate.
Investigators have not released the identities of either men involved and are still interviewing the accused gunman.
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