Tops Bar-B-Q back open, but shooting leaves neighbors shaken
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The lunch crowd returned to normal Wednesday at a popular Tops Bar-B-Q restaurant on Summer Avenue, a day after a shooting outside left a man in serious condition.
According to police, 26-year-old Antonio Johnson was found shot inside a white Nissan Altima on the lot behind Tops. He was taken to Regional One Hospital, where he remains in serious condition.
Man critically injured in shooting at Tops BBQ
The shooting forced the Highland Heights restaurant to temporarily shut down. A woman in the vehicle was detained and police confiscated a pistol and marijuana.
It’s unclear what sparked the shooting. Police are looking for a suspect in a gray truck.
Luis Hernandez, the manager at Furniture Central across the street, said he was working on a computer when he heard three or four gunshots.
“I immediately looked over at the camera to look around and see what was going on, and we saw a vehicle pull out at a high rate of speed,” he said.
Hernandez declined to share the surveillance video with WREG, saying he doesn’t believe the vehicle is connected with the shooting, and may have been a panicked customer.
Suspect accused of firing shots at man, children in South Memphis
“I mean anybody in that situation would have just fled quickly, because if I heard gunshots, I’m definitely not staying to find out what happened,” he said.
Hernandez says he rushed to get employees and customers into a safe place.
“We’re just hoping that it’s not an upward trend and that was just a rare instance,” he said.
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