Overnight shootings reported at two Tampa restaurants

The Tampa Police Department is investigating a pair of apparently related early-morning shooting incidents at two fast-food restaurants.

At approximately 3 a.m. today, five employees at a McDonald's at 2006 N 50th St. were cleaning the restaurant after closing. One of the employees was wiping counters near the drive-through window when someone began shooting into the restaurant from E Seventh Avenue.

Approximately 15 bullets were later recovered from the walls of the restaurant. The employee was cut by flying glass, but did not need medical attention. A review of the store's surveillance video revealed the shots were fired from a red vehicle that traveled east on E Seventh Avenue, then turned south on N 50th St. No other employees were injured.

At about 4:20 a.m., a customer was ordering in the drive-through lane at Gyros Sandwich shop, 2015 N 50th St., across the street from the McDonald's, when someone started shooting at him. Bullets shattered the right rear passenger window, entered the head rest and struck the steering wheel of his vehicle. He fled the scene when he realized he was being targeted.

Officers investigating the McDonald's shooting said they heard six or seven shots fired in the Gyros incident. The officers ran across the street and found the customer, but saw no suspects or vehicles nearby. The customer was not injured.

The two shootings appear related, a department spokesman said, and there are no suspects.

Ken Walker, Times staff writer