Late Saturday in Cartersville, a Waffle House run on Dixie Avenue turned into a crime scene when a fight outside the restaurant escalated into gunfire, sending a crowd of teenagers scrambling and leaving at least two vehicles riddled with bullet holes. Investigators say surveillance footage shows a brawl in the parking lot that quickly turned into multiple people pulling guns and firing. Police reported that, somehow, no one was hit. Officers are now poring over video and witness accounts as the investigation moves forward.
Employees describe a chaotic, surreal scene
Staff working the late shift said the night took a hard left turn just before midnight, when dozens of teenagers streamed into the restaurant. Things stayed relatively calm inside, but as the teens stepped outside for a break, everything fell apart.
"Pow, pow, pow," employee Justin Crutcher said, recalling the sudden burst of gunfire. He estimated about six shots rang out in rapid succession. The Crutchers said the crowd appeared to be mostly under 20 years old. One driver, who had simply stopped in for something to eat, summed up the mood as the chaos unfolded, telling them he "just came here to get pork chops," according to FOX 5 Atlanta.
Police comb surveillance video, ask public for tips
Cartersville police say they have pulled surveillance footage from several nearby businesses and confirmed what witnesses described. A fight broke out, guns were drawn and several people fired shots, as reported by FOX 5 Atlanta. By the time officers rolled up, most of the teens had already scattered into the night. No arrests had been made as of the latest update.
Detectives are now asking anyone who captured video or has information about the incident to contact the Criminal Investigations Division. The City of Cartersville's City of Cartersville website lists the tip line as 770-387-5690.
Cars hit, but no reported injuries
Authorities said two vehicles were struck by bullets, one parked in the Waffle House lot and another driving along Joe Frank Harris Parkway, but there were no reported injuries. The Waffle House in question sits on Dixie Avenue in Cartersville, and the chain’s location page lists that restaurant at Waffle House. Investigators continue to review video and interview witnesses in an effort to put names to the people seen firing weapons.
What happens next
The investigation remains active, and police are again urging anyone who recorded the chaos on their phone to come forward. Officials say the sheer number of people on scene has made it tougher to immediately identify suspects, so they are leaning heavily on surveillance video from surrounding businesses to fill in the gaps.
Hoodline will update this story as Cartersville police release more information.
