A man was rushed to the hospital Saturday after arguing with a restaurant customer and subsequently shooting himself twice in a suicide attempt, according to a video statement from the establishment.
The man pulled out a gun and shot himself twice in front of around 100 customers and 30 staff members at Hinie’s BBQ in Lawrenceburg, Tennesse, following an argument with a female customer, according to a video statement from the restaurant.
Among the bystanders was an off-duty police officer who started performing first aid “within two seconds of the first shot,” Trip from Hinnie’s BBQ said in the video. Other staff and customers helped the officer administer treatment to the man until EMS arrived.
The man was then flown to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in critical condition, WSMV reported. (RELATED: Police Officer Accidentally Shoots High School Student During Drill: Police)
The incident prompted the restaurant to reach out to the Tennessee Disaster Mental Health Strike team to hold a meeting Monday at 3 p.m. The gathering was open to anyone who may have witnessed the reported suicide attempt, including customers, employees and staff. In addition to the strike team, local pastors, counselors and members of law enforcement were present at the event, according to the outlet.
Following the meeting, restaurant staff will decide when they plan to reopen, Trip said in the video statement. No updates have been posted at the time of writing, according to the restaurant’s website and its Facebook page.
“Please continue to keep our staff, their families and all of the customers that were in the store in your prayers,” Trip said.
