Armed robber on the run after shootout outside fast-food restaurant

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — An armed robber is on the run after a shootout outside a fast-food restaurant.

Bullet holes can still be seen in the windows of the Mrs. Winners Chicken and Biscuits along Glenwood Road in DeKalb County.

A tire shop owner nearby told Channel 2's Kristen Holloway that he is thankful to be alive after a man opened fire so close to his business and then at him.

“About two gunshots and I quickly rushed down, and I saw the rest of the workers running,” the shop owner said, asking not to be identified.

The man said he saw customers running from the restaurant just after 4 p.m. Thursday after police say a man with a gun went inside and started shooting at customers while they were eating lunch and then demanded money from them.

Police are still investigating if he took money from the restaurant

“He been in this area for a while, but I never knew that was his intention,” the shop owner said

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The gunfire didn't end there. Before the business owner could jump in and help, he told Holloway that bullets started flying at him.

“As soon as I step over there, the guy started shooting, shooting at me. Then I fired back, then he drove off,” the store owner said.

Only the drive thru was open Friday after those shots were fired inside and outside the restaurant.

Three bullet holes remain in one of the front windows. A huge crack with another bullet hole is in another window.

The tire shop owner told Holloway that he carries his weapon at all times and stays alert because of all the crime in the area.

“Shootings every day. Drug, prostitution, you name them. We need protection around here. We need officers around here,” the shop owner said.

Police have not released a description of the shooter, but there are visible cameras both inside and outside Mrs. Winner's that may have captured the incident. We are checking with police for more information.

Cox Media Group