A gunman shot a rival in a crowded Long Island IHOP on Monday — just feet from a little girl sitting in a high chair, cops said.
The target of the shooting was walking out of the Lake Ronkonkoma restaurant around 1:24 p.m. when he stopped by a table with a group of people, authorities said. One of the people at the table then whipped out a gun and fired multiple rounds at the man, hitting him at least once, said Suffolk Police Chief of Department Stuart Cameron.
The gunfire occurred just feet from the youngster in the high chair and her family — as well as at least 20 other groups of diners, cops said.
Cameron said the suspect and victim knew each other before the incident.“We do not believe this was a random act or that there is any reason for the public to be concerned other than the fact that it occurred in a crowded restaurant,” he said.
The unidentified perp ran off and was was nabbed around the corner from the restaurant, cops said. The victim was taken to Stony Brook University Hospital in a private car and was in surgery Monday afternoon.
About 20 patrons in the restaurant — including a family with a young child — ran for cover inside when the shooting happened, Cameron said.