BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Authorities have charged a New Jersey man in a shooting at a southside Bethlehem restaurant that injured two people.
Ashton Jordan Thomas, 18, from Stewartsville, faces multiple charges, including two counts of attempted homicide, aggravated assault, and recklessly endangering another person, according to court documents.
At this point, Thomas has not been arrested.
It happened shortly after midnight Friday, just minutes after Musikfest closed for the night, and only a few short blocks from the festival grounds. Police were called to the 300 block of E. Third Street for a report of shots fired at Sizzling Bites Halal Grill.
One 911 caller reported hearing five to six gunshots, according to a criminal complaint against Thomas.
In court documents, police say Thomas was with two other people outside the restaurant when they got into an argument with another group of people who were also outside. Shortly afterward, a man slapped one of the people Thomas was with, prompting a fight, according to the criminal complaint.
During the struggle, Thomas took a handgun from his right pocket and, at close range, fired five shots at two people, including the person who slapped his associate, Bethlehem Police said. Both people were wounded by the gunfire, police said.
Arriving officers found one adult victim suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Soon after, a second adult gunshot victim arrived at an area hospital on their own for treatment. Authorities say both are in stable condition.
After the shots were fired, Thomas and the two people he was with ran away from the scene, according to the criminal complaint.
Five spent .45 casings, a bullet, and four projectiles were found at the scene, according to court paperwork.
Police say there were customers inside Sizzling Bites when the shooting occurred, but no other injuries were reported.
69 News spoke with the restaurant’s owner, Abdul Wali, who says that something like this has never happened inside of his business.
In order to ensure customer safety, Wali says he’s taking several steps. Now, on weekend nights, Sizzling Bites will have Bethlehem Police officers on hand to help keep the peace.