An Encinitas coffee shop owner and a bystander were injured Thursday morning when the owner’s gun went off as he and his patron struggled for control of a firearm in the street, a sheriff’s official said.
The incident happened around 8 a.m. at Ironsmith Coffee Roasters after a patron in line to order caused a disturbance and was asked to leave, sheriff’s Lt. Christopher Lawrence said.
That led to an argument between the owner and a patron in the back alley of the store on South Coast Highway 101, just north of West D Street. The argument then turned into a fight and the business owner pulled a gun, Lawrence said.
During the scramble, the round when it is off. A bullet hit the back of the store owner’s neck and shrapnel hit a bystander’s leg, Lawrence said.
The patron got a gun, and the owner ran to a nearby fire station on Second Street. The patron followed him to the station, where firefighters held him until deputies arrived, Lawrence said.
The owner, a 37-year-old man, and a bystander, a 55-year-old man, were taken to a hospital for treatment, Lawrence said.
The patron, a 31-year-old man, was arrested on suspicion of charges including assault with a deadly weapon.
The owner of the cafe was not arrested. Lawrence said the investigation is ongoing.
14:53 October 13, 2022: This story has been updated with additional information.
14:53 October 13, 2022: This story has been updated with additional information.
