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Police responded January 16th, 2008 to reports of a shot fired at a popular downtown restaurant.

At about 1:00 a.m. fifteen people in two groups were involved in a disturbance inside Joey Tomato's at 11228 Jasper Avenue. The restaurant's manager and an off-duty cook decided to step in.

"During the fight somebody pulled out a hand gun, fired a round and it appears to have gone into the tiles and riccocheted off and struck one of the employees who was trying to break up the fight," said Insp. Terry Rocchio.

Both groups fled the scene leaving one man shot in the right leg. He was treated in hospital and later released.

"We brought in our Gang Unit – we're not too sure if it's gang related or not but we thought we'd bring them in and see if they can offer any information on the shooter," Rocchio said.

Police located one man in the area with minor injuries to his face. Investigators believed he was one of the participants in the fight that precipitated the shooting.

It was reported the principal members of the two groups were regulars at the restaurant.

Officers interviewed witnesses in an attempt to identify suspects. No charges were laid and those with information about the incident were asked to contact Edmonton police at 423-4567, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.tipsubmit.com - a secure tip submission web site.

The incident was the second in three days in which a Good Samaritan became the target of the violence they were trying to avert.

On January 13th, 46-year-old Randy George Lintner was killed while trying to quell a disturbance in the parking lot of The Canadian Brewhouse at 127th Avenue and 97th Street. Lintner died of head trauma, the direct result of a punch to the head.

Police and paramedic response time was an issue in Lintner's death. At the Joey Tomato's incident, officers arrived in generous numbers.

Later in the day the shot man returned to the restaurant.

When approached by reporters the man refused the invitation to offer a statement. “No dice,” he said.

His fellow staff also declined to comment, leaving it to restaurant management to issue a statement which also said it was offering counselling to its employees.

On January 21st, 2008 police issued a warrant for the arrest of a suspect wanted in connection with the shooting.

Police announced they were looking for Michael Peter Willis, 27, of no fixed address.

He was described as approximately six feet tall, 196 lbs with brown hair and blue eyes.

Investigators think Willis may be driving a 2004 two-door silver BMW with Alberta license plate BYY-182, similar to the one pictured.

Police consider Willis to be armed and dangerous and they advise the public not to approach or try to apprehend him.

A larger image of Willis can be seen here.

Update: On January 22nd, Willis turned himself in at the downtown police headquarters. He was accompanied by a lawyer.

There was no word on charges laid.

deadmonton 2008 - january crime report - bullet served up at Joey Tomato's