Police: Gunman chased victim, fired at least twice inside crowded restaurant

ATLANTA — A popular restaurant became a crime scene Monday night after a wild shooting outside and inside JCT Kitchen in Atlanta.

Police said a couple had just arrived at the popular restaurant on Howell Mill Road just before 9 p.m. when they were approached by a gunman in the parking lot. The gunman demanded the victim's watch, but he refused.

The victim and the gunman then briefly struggled, police said, before the suspect fired several rounds at the victim.

The victim, identified as Bruno Bafico, then ran into the restaurant and police said the gunman continued to fire shots at him -- all while 30 people in the restaurant scrambled for cover.

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At one point, police said Bafico tripped over a cooler behind the bar and the gunman attempted to shoot him but the gun either malfunctioned or jammed. The suspect then ran out of the restaurant and left in a black SUV.

Paramedics took Bafico to the hospital with a gunshot wound to the stomach and leg. He was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital in critical condition but was listed as stable.

Authorities are still searching for the suspect.

We're going to continue to follow this developing story throughout the day. WATCH Channel 2 Action News starting at 4 for a LIVE report.

One man told Channel 2's Darryn Moore he ran after he heard three gunshots.

“Then I heard another pop and a third pop, very loud screaming,” said witness David Collins. “I jumped up ran into the kitchen people started following me. There were fifteen, twenty of us back in the kitchen we sat there for about 20 minutes, and then the cops arrived.”

Cox Media Group