Gunman kills self after fatally shooting wife inside fast food restaurant

No customers were inside the KFC/Taco Bell at time of shooting

DORAL, Fla. – A man fatally shot his wife Sunday inside a KFC/Taco Bell restaurant in Doral and then turned the gun on himself, Miami-Dade police said.

Alvaro Zabaleta, a spokesman for the Miami-Dade County Police Department, said the shooting happened around 11 a.m. at the fast food outlet at Northwest 41st Street and Northwest 107th Avenue.

Witnesses said that the 53-year-old man came to the restaurant and began arguing with his 51-year-old wife who was an employee.

During the verbal dispute, the man produced a firearm and began shooting at his wife, officials said.

“She was attempting to get away as she ran toward the back. He continued shooting her, striking her multiple times," Zabaleta said.

Officials said the man then walked to the front customer area and shot himself.

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue responded and pronounced both husband and wife dead at the scene, officials said.

Four other employees were in the restaurant at the time of the shooting, but no customers were present. Officials said none of the other four employees were injured during the incident.

Detectives said the victims had been having marital problems.

"Domestic violence kills. They call it the silent crime. They’re afraid to come forward and speak, and unfortunately, if you don't come out and speak, they escalate and end up in tragedy like the ones we have today,” Zabaleta said.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS (8477) or 866-471-8477.


About the Authors:

Terrell Forney joined Local 10 News in October 2005 as a general assignment reporter. He was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, but a desire to escape the harsh winters of the north brought him to South Florida.