A quiet evening at a Raleigh-area Mexican restaurant erupted into chaos when gunfire critically injured a man Tuesday night. Memphis Police Department responded to a distress call from Margaritas Mexican Restaurant at 3850 Austin Peay Highway shortly after 6:28 p.m., as reported by Action News 5. An individual was found shot and subsequently rushed to Regional One Hospital in a grave condition.

Additional details furnished by WREG reveal that the police are on the lookout for a suspect described as a Black woman who was seen fleeing the crime scene in a van. In an unrelated incident, a second person was treated at the restaurant for a medical condition and later transported to Methodist North, also in non-critical condition.

FOX13 Memphis reports a narrative provided by the restaurant’s manager, who witnessed a man and a woman approaching the register moments before the shooting commenced. According to an employee of the establishment, Ximena Ramirez, “There was a car that drove by and just started shooting. There were like 7 shots I believe.” Ramirez described the abrupt havoc: “Honestly, it was crazy. Everyone was on the floor. It just happened really fast.”

The Memphis police have not disclosed any identification relating to the vehicle aside from it being a van. The area in the Covington Springs shopping center, where the restaurant is located, was besieged by investigators post-incident, with surveillance and witness interviews contributing to the ongoing hunt for the perpetrator. Residents with any relevant information have been urged to contact Memphis CrimeStoppers at 901-528-CASH.