A Stone Mountain man remained in critical condition Monday after being shot in the parking lot of an Applebee's restaurant near Duluth in an apparent dispute over a football game.
Police responding to a report of shots fired in the parking lot of the Applebee’s at 2085 Pleasant Hill Road Saturday night, found Christopher Middleton, 30, of Stone Mountain, with a gunshot wound to the abdomen. He was taken to Gwinnett Medical Center, where he remained in critical condition Monday afternoon, said hospital spokeswoman Beth Okun. Police also dicovered Corey Adams, 30, of Duluth with a minor graze wound to his head. He was treated at the scene and released.
Adams told Channel 2 Action News that he was at the restaurant celebrating with a friend before the shooting happened.
He said he and his friend were watching an NFL playoff game and rooting for the San Francisco 49ers. He said a New Orleans Saints fan took offense to his cheering and had words with him.
"The only thing me and my buddy said was, we were excited that the 49ers scored," Adams said. "It was only one touchdown."
Adams said the man paid for his food and left in a hurry saying that he would be back, but he just brushed it off.
"I saw him pop a pill," Adams said.
Witnesses provided police with a description of the alleged shooter and the vehicle he left in. A short time later, police caught up with the suspect. Donald Ray Ayro, 31, traveling south on I-85 near Jimmy Carter Boulevard and stopped him for questioning.
Investigators said all three men had been inside the Applebee’s watching the game. Ayro became upset with Middleton and Adams and made a comment that he would be back for them and left the restaurant, police said. A short time later, Ayro confronted the two men in the parking lot and fired on them with a handgun.
Ayro has been charged with two counts of aggravated assault, being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. He was taken to Gwinnett County Jail and held without bond.
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