Police are looking for the person who shot at least two bullets in what appeared to be a drive-by shooting at Stanford’s Shopping Center in Palo Alto Monday night.
No one was hurt, but a bullet did strike an open business filled with customers and an empty car nearby.
“We noticed a guy running the opposite way and he said, ‘don’t go that way there’s a shooting,’' said Jensen Owens, who was out shopping with his brother. “Police were coming towards us and they said, ‘what are you doing? Get inside, run.’”
A shot was fired into Fleming's Prime Steakhouse, striking a window of the restaurant around 4:25 p.m., according to police.
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"The scene is secure and plenty of officers are present to ensure public safety," police said in a tweet. "Initial info indicates the suspect fired a handgun from a moving vehicle. Unknown motive or target at this point."
A witness told police that a suspect shot at the restaurant from a black Chevrolet Camaro but no suspect has been arrested.
Police found an empty car near the restaurant that had also been struck by a handgun round.
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“We found a roof access room and we were just hoping the shooter wouldn’t go in there,” said Aaron Ownes.
The brothers found themselves hiding in Aritzia's dressing room along with dozens more as police investigated two incidents.
A drive-by shooting right outside Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse, and reports of a person with a gun holster walking inside the shopping center.
“I was scared the whole time, like I text my mom, ‘I love you, there’s a shooter,’” said Aaron.
Palo Alto police say a bullet went through this restaurant as customers were inside and a vehicle in the parking lot was also hit.
Fortunately no one was hurt.
And the reports of a possible armed subject inside the shopping center turned out to be false.
This, and other recent smash and grabs, have shoppers wondering if it’ll be safe to come back this holiday season.
“I think at first I thought, ‘oh do I want to continue shopping? But then I just thought to myself, ‘I don’t want to miss Christmas, I don’t want to miss the lights,’” said shopper Lisa Gruman.
Police say as this investigation continues, so will their efforts to keep shoppers safe.
“You're going to see our cars out there, you're going to see our officers out there, you may not see some of us when we are in plain clothes or unmarked cars, but it’ll be a variety of suppression methods,” said Brian Philip of the Palo Alto Police Department.
Councilmember Greg Tanaka said they are working on bringing license plate readers to the city.
Some of those would be located at this shopping center and he is really hoping they are installed in time for this holiday season.
