Armed father kills gunman at McDonald’s, and community stays on his side

A massacre was prevented in Alabama when a father shot a masked gunman at McDonald's.

An unidentified father from Birmingham Alabama shot a masked gunman who entered a McDonalds' restaurant across the road from Princeton Hospital, reported WBRC on October 28, 2018.

The man, who has since been identified as Antonio Demond Sanders, walked into the restaurant when employees opened the door for the father and his teenage sons to leave.

“Things like this are difficult for both families. The gentleman who unfortunately lost his life, the teenage boy who is in the hospital recovering from his injuries and the father who is also recovering from his injuries,”

Sgt. Bryan Shelton, WBRC, October 28, 2018.

DINNER OUT WITH THE KIDS ENDS IN A SHOOT-OUT

Sanders, 24, opened fire and struck the father and one of his sons. The man pulled out his pistol and returned fire, wounding the gunman.

The unidentified father's intervention prevented what could have been a mass shooting inside the fast-food restaurant's packed premises.

MASKED GUNMAN WAS SHOT DOWN BY ARMED DAD DIES

The gunman was taken to Princeton Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries; but the father and son's wounds are not considered to be life-threatening.

EMPLOYEE RECOUNTS HORROR OF HAIL OF BULLETS

Markus Washington, one of the McDonald's employees, was at the grill making burgers when the shooting started and reported hearing 15 shots fired.

Read more on Twitter Amomama USA.

HIDING IN A FREEZER IN FEAR OF HIS LIFE

Washington's response to the gunman's threat was to seek refuge inside the freezer. The man hid inside as he heard the sounds of bullets:

“All we hear is like different gunfire, so in my mind, I’m imagining everybody is dead. He’s looking for us.”

The McDonalds employee expressed his gratitude to the gun-wielding dad, whom he credits with saving his life and that of every person inside the restaurant.

“He’s my hero. Because I can only imagine how it would’ve went if he wasn’t armed. We might not be here having this interview.”

Authorities have yet to ascertain the gunman's intentions; was he intent on robbing the restaurant, was he targetting an employee, or was he a mass killer? The case is under investigation, but Police say the unidentified father is not expected to face charges over the shoot-out.