Angry Saints Fan Shoots 49ers Fans At Georgia Restaurant
DULUTH, GEORGIA (CBS SF) -- Two 49ers fans were shot by an angry New Orleans Saints fan in the parking lot of an Applebee's restaurant in Georgia after Saturday's game in which New Orleans lost 36-32, Gwinnett County police confirmed on Monday.
Donald Ray Ayro, 31, was at the Applebee's in Duluth watching the 49ers-Saints game when he reportedly became frustrated with two 49ers fans, Christopher Middleton, 30, of Stone Mountain, Ga., and Corey Adams, 30, of Duluth, Ga.
"The only thing me and my buddy said was, we were excited that the 49ers scored," Adams recalled. "It was just one touchdown."
Adams said that Ayro then made a comment he would be "back for them" and left the restaurant.
A short time later, Ayro allegedly fired several rounds at Middleton and Adams outside the restaurant, hitting both men, police Cpl. Edwin Ritter said.
Middleton was shot in the stomach and transported to Gwinnett Medical Center in critical condition. Adams suffered a minor wound to the head. He was treated at the scene and released.
Ayro fled after the shooting, but witnesses gave officers a description of the suspect and his car, and police spotted Ayro driving south on Interstate Highway 85 several miles from the restaurant.
He was arrested on suspicion of aggravated assault, being a felon in possession of a firearm, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, Ritter said.
Ayro was being being held in the Gwinnett County Jail without bond.
Customer Dwight Peters, who was in the restaurant at the time of the incident, said that "a lot of liquor" was probably behind the shooting. "It's a playoff game, emotions are high... But you know, it's an isolated incident."
A statement released by Applebee's said, "Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and families of this senseless tragedy."
The shooting remained under investigation Monday.
(Copyright 2012 by CBS San Francisco. All rights reserved. CBS News and CBS Sports also contributed to this report.)
