A dispute involving employees at a DeKalb County Chinese restaurant and a diner who allegedly skipped the bill ended in a triple shooting Wednesday night, police said.

Two employees of the China Cafeteria on Rainbow Drive followed after a diner who “left without paying for food,” DeKalb police spokesman Sgt. J.D. Spencer told AJC.com.

The argument spilled over to the parking lot of a Burger King on Candler Road south of I-20, about a block away from the Chinese restaurant.

“During the fight, one of the employees left and retrieved a firearm and subsequently all three individuals suffered gunshot wounds,” Spencer said in a statement.  “All three were transported to a local hospital, one individual in critical condition.”

The employee who allegedly fired the shots was identified as Xin Xing Chen, of Norcross, by Channel 2 Action News. Police told the news station he shot his coworker by accident.

He is charged with aggravated assault, according to DeKalb County Jail records.

The incident is still under investigation.

In other news:

Henry County Police confirmed the shooting happened Thursday morning.

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In this file photo from October 2024, Atlanta Braves outfielder Jorge Soler and teammates react after losing to the San Diego Padres 5-4 in San Diego. The Braves and Soler, who now plays for the Los Angeles Angels, face a lawsuit by a fan injured at a 2021 World Series game at Truist Park in Atlanta. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Credit: Jason.Getz@ajc.com