A gunman opened fire inside a Nashville restaurant during brunch service on Easter Sunday, killing one person and injuring four others, authorities said.
According to Metro Nashville Police, gunshots rang out just before 3 p.m. inside Roasted, a popular brunch spot at 614 Girlfydo Street in the city’s Salemtown neighborhood.
Police said one man was shot to death and several others were injured but are expected to survive.
Four people suffered gunshot wounds or abrasions and were taken by ambulance to local hospitals. The Tennessean reported.
Roasted, which describes itself as a “safe haven where community thrives, love is in the air, and good times are shared,” was home to children who were dining out for a Christian holiday before the shooting. It was said to be packed with customers, including For social media posts.
According to Roasted’s Instagram Stories, the restaurant was packed with people dancing to a DJ, drinking mimosas and taking photos with staff dressed as the Easter Bunny.
But the joyful event turned deadly when a man tried to pull out a gun in the middle of the restaurant, according to a photo of the suspect released by Metro Nashville Police.
A woman at a nearby playground told The Tennessean that she heard about eight gunshots and then saw customers run out of Roastted screaming.
One person yelled, “Breathe!” That’s what Dear Settle told a local newspaper and someone on the ground.
Settle was with a group of mothers playing with their children on the playground.
“Everyone was grabbing kids and running and falling to the ground,” she said. “Just the sound and lots of gunshots and I knew someone was hurt and it gave me chills.”
Mothers told the newspaper that several ambulances rushed to the restaurant and took away patrons, including pregnant women.
A neighbor, who requested anonymity, told the magazine that he spoke to a man who was leaving the restaurant with his young daughter.
Both father and daughter were crying.
According to the newspaper, the man said, “I was dancing with my daughter at Roasted when two men started arguing and one of them pulled out a gun.”
Police have not released information about a motive for the shooting.
“Detectives are working to determine the shooter’s motive for opening fire during Sunday brunch at Roasted on Garfield Street,” Metro Nashville Police said in a statement.
Police said the suspected gunman fled the restaurant in a Mercedes GLS 450 and remains at large.
Police are asking anyone who knows him to call 615-862-8600.
