Atlanta

Play-by-play: Here’s what happened during Loca Luna shooting, according to police

ATLANTA — Popular Midtown tapas restaurant Loca Luna has been shut down after the second shooting in two months broke out in the parking lot Sunday night.

Police have released ta report detailing exactly what happened that night.

Police said that they responded to a 911 call about approximately 20 shots coming from the restaurant at around 10:30 p.m.

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Officers said multiple vehicles were leaving the parking lot when they got there. A security guard told police that he was inside the restaurant when he heard shots fired and went outside to check if anyone was injured.

Police spoke to two people whose vehicles had bullet holes in them. One of those vehicles had 32 bullet holes across its doors, windows, wheels, windshield and bumper.

A witness told police she was standing in front of the restaurant and two men were arguing next to her. She said the first man, described as having a teardrop tattoo and a piercing on his left cheek, pulled out a gun and started shooting in the air. She said she had heard gunshots inside the restaurant before that.

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According to the police report, the other man, who was wearing a white hoodie, a white dress and white pants, then ran away as the first man started to aim and shoot.

Another witness told police she had video of the incident on her phone. Video showed a man with a black hoodie shooting in the parking lot. Later, there was another man in a black hoodie with an assault rifle was also seen shooting in the parking lot. It’s unclear if the two videos show the same man.

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Some time later, police responded to reports of a man shot at a gas station near the restaurant. The victim, said his vehicle was shot outside of Loca Luna. He then drove onto Piedmont Avenue and stopped at a gas station because he had a flat tire. He said that as he was checking his vehicle, a red/burgundy Dodge Durango pulled up and started shooting at him.

The victim sustained a gunshot wound to his right lower leg and is expected to recover.

The owners of Loca Luca’s building released the following statement to Channel 2 Action News:

“The safety and well-being of our patrons and tenants is our top priority at Halpern Enterprises. We strive to be a positive force in each community where we conduct business. We have worked with the owners of Loca Luna in good faith regarding prior incidences at their restaurant. Unfortunately, the unlawful activity has continued. Effective 1/24/2022, per our rights within the agreement, Halpern Enterprises has terminated the lease with Loca Luna at Amsterdam Walk. Loca Luna’s owners have agreed to cease operations and remove their possessions.”

In October, a man was shot and killed during a fight over a car outside of Loca Luna. The restaurant was closed at the time.

Anyone with any information is asked to call CrimeStoppers.

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