KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - An early morning shooting outside a busy IHOP restaurant left a security guard and three others wounded, two of them critically, authorities said.
The shooting happened around 5 a.m. Saturday after a man and a woman dining with a large group began arguing, and an armed security guard escorted the man outside, said Sgt. Craig Sarver.
He said four or five men followed the pair, surrounded the security guard, and a physical altercation ensued.
At that time, Sarver said a second security guard left the pancake house in the southeast part of the city. He saw a man get out of a black or gray car and begin shooting. Both guards returned fire.
Sarver said there were conflicting reports about whether others were involved in the shooting.
The first security guard was struck in the forearm, chest and abdomen and fell to the ground. He was listed in stable condition, Sarver said.
Two other men who had accosted the guard were critically injured in the shooting, Sarver said. It was not immediately clear where they were shot.
After the shooting, the man suspected of starting the gunfight drove away. A short time later, he was found next to his car at a convenience store. He was struck at least once in the hand and was listed in stable condition, Sarver said.
The names of the wounded were not immediately released.
Sarver said one customer stumbled in the midst of the gunfight but no others were injured.
"Between customers and employees there were quite a few people in the restaurant at the time," Sarver said. "We are fortunate no one else was injured."
