Father Fatally Shoots Masked Gunman Who Opened Fire At McDonald's

The dad and his two sons were leaving the restaurant in Birmingham on Saturday when a masked man walked in and began shooting.

October 29, 2018

Main photo: McDonalds in Birmingham [CBS 42 (screenshot)]

By: Catherine Townsend

A father in Alabama fatally shot a gunman who opened fire inside a McDonald’s on Saturday, according to police.

The father and his sons were leaving the restaurant in Birmingham at around 10:45 p.m. when a masked man walked in and began shooting, WBRC reported.

The father returned fire during the shootout and hit the suspect, who later died from his injuries.

West Precinct Officers responded to reports that multiple people had been shot.

Birmingham police spokesman Sgt. Bryan Shelton told AL.com that it appeared that the shooting was justified.

Employees at the fast food restaurant praised the father.

“He’s my hero, because I can only imagine how it would’ve went if he wasn’t armed. We might not be here," McDonald's employee Markus Washington told WBRC.

Washington said he was preparing burgers when the shooting started.

“All we hear is different gunfire, so in my mind, I’m imagining everybody is dead,” he said.

"Wrapping my head around it all, I was just wishing someone would come wake me up from this nightmare."

Washington said that he hid with other employees in a walk-in freezer.

Police said the father and one of his children sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

Police have not yet released a possible motive for the shooting, but have stated that the father is not currently facing charges.

The investigation continues.

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