



MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- The Milwaukee Police Department is investigating a homicide that happened inside a George Webb restaurant near Locust and Oakland on the city's east side shortly before 2 a.m. on Friday, December 20th.



According to police, a 21-year-old employee from Milwaukee was attempting to remove a disorderly customer from the restaurant when the customer shot the employee, killing him. The suspect fled from the restaurant.



"A group of people got involved in an altercation inside the restaurant," said Milwaukee Police Chief Ed Flynn. "The cook, a 21-year-old, came to the assistance of the waitresses in order to evict the disorderly people."



One of the members of the group, described as a career criminal and convicted felon, left the restaurant and returned a short time later with a handgun. The suspect shot the victim in the chest. The victim died at the scene.



Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett says the crime, in an otherwise peaceful neighborhood, is a shock. Barrett vowed to increase police presence in the area and bring the suspect to justice.



The names of the victim and suspect have not been released by police. Restaurant employees declined to comment but say they have turned over surveillance video to authorities.



George Webb Restaurants issued a statement regarding the shooting late Friday morning. It reads: "Our deepest condolences go out to the family and we are truly saddened by the events that occurred at our location on Oakland Ave. We have confidence in the Milwaukee Police Department that they’ll be able to apprehend the individual responsible for this."



Police say they know who the suspect is and are hoping to make an arrest soon.