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MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A man is behind bars, accused of stealing a car and shooting the person inside.

It happened outside Bardog Tavern on 73 Monroe Avenue at about 4 a.m., and the bar’s owner said the victim was an employee.

Police said the victim was sitting in a car in the alley next to the bar when the suspect opened the door and demanded the car.

Police said the suspect then shot the victim and drove away in the car.

The victim was transported to Regional Medical Center in critical condition, police said.

He has since improved and has been released from the hospital, the owner of Bardog Tavern, Aldo Dean, said.

Police later found the car in the parking lot of the Waffle House at 4315 American Way. The suspect ran away as police approached him, but officers caught up with him and took him into custody.

The suspect, John Kenny, 24, has been charged with attempted first-degree murder, especially aggravated robbery and employing a firearm with intent to commit a felony.

Dean sent WREG the following statement:

This random act of violence is a case of the weak preying on the strong. Downtown remains the gemstone of this wonderfully vibrant and burgeoning city, and its citizens and businesses will be not be deterred or discouraged by the senseless acts of cowards, especially dumb criminals like this one. We would like to applaud the aggressive efforts of the Memphis Police Department, who quickly apprehended this pitiful, wannabe gangster. Our employee, who was shot, was released from the Med this morning, and has expressed his desire to return to work as soon as possible. He would like to thank the paramedics and the team of doctors and nurses that enabled his fast recovery.

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