Man Critically Injured In Shooting Inside Wendy's At Edgewood Towne Centre
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EDGEWOOD BOROUGH (KDKA) -- Police are investigating after a man was shot Monday evening inside the Wendy's at the Edgewood Towne Centre shopping plaza.
The shooting happened around 6:40 p.m. inside the dining area of the fast food restaurant.
According to Edgewood Police, the victim was shot once in the abdomen and rushed to UPMC Presbyterian Hospital in critical condition. He was taken into emergency surgery late Monday night, and is expected to survive. He has not yet been identified.
His vehicle was towed from the scene.
Late Monday, there were conflicting reports about a possible suspect. A police source close to the investigation had initially told KDKA that a suspect was in custody, on the way to County Police headquarters for questioning, and that no charges had yet been filed. A short time later, another county spokesperson told KDKA that there was a person of interest singled out, but no one was actually apprehended.
Edgewood's police chief says this was not a random crime. Authorities believe the victim and suspect may have known each other, and had an exchange inside the restaurant before the single gunshot rang out.
"I don't know what unusual is anymore," said Edgewood Police Chief Robert Payne. "You're right, it's out of the ordinary, but there's so many different types of situations that are going on where people are just pulling out guns and shooting people, and they don't care where they're at, how many people are watching them or anything else."
Police say both workers and customers were inside the restaurant when the shooting happened. Some of the employees called 911.
Paramedics administered first aid on the scene, then rushed the victim to the hospital.
The Wendy's is closed for the investigation, and there's no word yet when it will reopen. Authorities also combed the parking lot for evidence, and are waiting to get surveillance video from inside the restaurant.
"I'm not going to discuss the shooter. The investigation, obviously, is ongoing, and we're on the case right now," said Chief Payne.
Allegheny County Police have taken over the investigation. Anyone with information on the investigation should call them at 1-833-ALL-TIPS.
