Several people were injured Saturday night after a driver ran his truck into a crowded Hiram restaurant and opened fire, police said.
Eduardo Morales, 34, was arrested after a group of patrons at the 278 South Bar & Grill detained him while he was trying to reload the gun, the Hiram Police Department said in a statement. A concert was underway at the time, the establishment’s owner told Channel 2 Action News.
Hiram police determined Morales had been asked to leave the bar earlier in the night because he was intoxicated, the agency said. He left but returned in his black Dodge Ram 2500 and began shooting at the restaurant through the window of his truck, police said.
“When his weapon was empty, Morales then drove the vehicle into the bar through the front doors striking numerous patrons,” police said.
At least one person was grazed by a bullet, and another was hit twice by the vehicle. The number of people who were injured is not clear, and police did not specify their conditions.
The truck stopped when it hit the restaurant’s bar. Morales tried to back out of the establishment, but he became stuck, police said.
“While the vehicle was stuck, Morales attempted to reload his weapon, but was pulled from the vehicle and detained by patrons of the bar until the arrival of law enforcement,” police said.
Mauricio “Moe” Puerto said he ran toward the truck when it smashed through the building.
“I dove in through the driver’s side window, and when I reached in there, I noticed that he had a pistol and he was reloading and putting another magazine in,” Puerto told Channel 2.” And I grabbed the wrist where he had the pistol. He was putting up a fight and he wouldn’t let it go. I kept elbowing him with my right arm.”
Puerto said the truck began rolling back and pinned his left leg between the wall and the truck. He shouted for help and a father and son came to his aid, the news station reported.
“I climbed into the passenger side and helped (Puerto) wrestle the driver and free the gun from his hand. (Puerto) gave me the gun to secure,” Scott Parker said. “My son then came up behind me and I passed the gun to him after checking to make sure it was cleared.”
Morales suffered minor injuries while being detained, officials said. He was taken to Paulding Wellstar Hospital before being transported to the Paulding County Jail, where he is charged with aggravated assault and aggravated battery.
Hiram police are asking witnesses who might have information on the incident to contact their department.
“Some patrons fled the bar before the arrival of the police and we would encourage them to please get in touch with Lieutenant Michael Wilson, Hiram Police, at 770-943-3807,” the police department said.
About the Author
