One furious employee shot one individual on Thursday and was keeping “a couple” more hostage at a busy restaurant at lunchtime in downtown Charleston, South Carolina, authorities disclosed.
Desperate attempts were made by hostage negotiators who tried to stop the man within Virginia’s, Charleston mayor John Tecklenburg stated during a press conference just outside the restaurant on usually busy King Street, a line of shops that is convenient to both tourists and locals in South Carolina’s biggest and most historically relevant place.
“This is not an act of terrorism. This is not a hate crime. It is a disgruntled employee,” Tecklenburg stated.
Police spokesperson Charles Francis stated the employee was keeping a “couple” of hostages. He did not answer to follow-up telephone questions looking for a more concrete number and he failed to give any specifics on the condition of the victim that got shot.
As reported, the shooting was immediately following noon on Thursday.
Peter Siegert, 73, and his son Peter Siegert IV, 45, were cited by the Post and Courier of Charleston as stating that just as couple of waitresses and kitchen workers exited the door without mouthing anything, a man in an apron with a gun followed them from the kitchen and locked the main gate.
He stated, “I am the new king of Charleston”, the Siegerts stated, continuing to say that the man said to diners to get on the floor and go in the back of the restaurant. The Siegerts stated they managed to escape from a back door and weren’t aware how many people remained after them.
Tom and Patsy Plant, who as well managed ti save themselves through a back door, stated for the Post and Courier the man appeared as “an ordinary grandpa, but he had a crazy look”.
Charleston police directed Swat teams on top of what a bomb disposal unit to the region. Authorities directed people within to remain inside and those outside to leave the region.
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