THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, July 5, 1996 TAG: 9607050173
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY STEVE STONE, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: 42 lines
Breakfast customers scurried for cover and ran for safety Thursday morning when a gunman shot the manager of a Shoney's restaurant in what police believe was a bungled robbery.
Before the gunman could flee, another restaurant employee tackled him, and nearby customers raced over to help hold him down until police arrived a few minutes later.
The manager of the restaurant in the 2400 block of E. Little Creek Road, identified as Bennett Parker, 43, underwent surgery at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital for a gunshot wound to the abdomen. He was listed in stable condition Thursday afternoon.
Police charged Samuel J. Coleman Jr., 26, of Norfolk with malicious wounding, attempted robbery, shooting in an occupied dwelling and two counts of using a firearm while committing a felony. Coleman, who has no known street address, will appear this morning in General District Court to answer the charges.
Police spokesman Larry Hill said the gunman came into the restaurant and had breakfast about 8:30 a.m. and then left.
A short time later, he returned, approached the manager and fired the gunshot.
About 25 to 30 customers were in the restaurant at the time. Some, at first, thought the noise they heard was fireworks. But soon panic spread and everyone was running to get out, a witness said.
It was unclear what the gunman said to the manager or what prompted him to shoot, Hill said. Police were still questioning witnesses. ILLUSTRATION: JOHN C. BELL photos
Above, Shoney's employee Brian Anderson embraces girlfriend Rhonda
Robinson after manager Bennett Parker was shot in the abdomen
Thursday. Police, below, blocked the entrance, and arrested Samuel
J. Coleman Jr., 26, of Norfolk, who is to appear in court today.
KEYWORDS: ROBBERY ARREST SHOOTING
ASSAULT INJURIES by CNB