PALO ALTO, Calif. (KRON) — A gunman fired bullets into an upscale restaurant at Stanford Shopping Center around 5 p.m. Monday, Palo Alto police said. Police are investigating the incident, which has been characterized as a drive-by shooting.
No one was injured inside Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse.
“The scene is secure. Initial info indicates the suspect fired a handgun from a moving vehicle. Unknown motive or target at this point,” the Palo Alto Police Department wrote.
Officers responded to a call from an employee of the steakhouse at around 4:25 p.m. on Monday. Officers responded immediately and confirmed that a large plate glass window near the front door had been struck by gunfire, police said in a press release.
The restaurant was open for business at the time and customers were inside. Bullet casings from a handgun were found in the ensuing investigation. Police also say they located a witness who reported seeing the suspect sticking a handgun out the driver’s window of a vehicle.
The suspect’s vehicle was a black Chevrolet Camaro that sped away northbound on El Camino Real, according to police. The witness was unable to describe the suspect. Another unoccupied vehicle that was struck by gunfire was later located parked near the restaurant.
“Officers located evidence on El Camino Real to indicate that at least two shots were fired from there. A witness reported seeing the suspect flee,” PAPD wrote.
“There were no lockdowns ordered by police as a result of this incident. Officers have checked the entirety of the mall. There are still a number of officers remaining on scene to ensure public safety,” police wrote on Twitter at 5:35 p.m.
Officers also received a second-hand report about someone inside the shopping center they thought had been wearing a holster on their belt. Officers searched the mall as a precaution. The suspect, or suspects, remain at large.
