ST. LOUIS — A man is facing charges after police say he shot a woman outside of a downtown St. Louis restaurant.
It happened just after 2 a.m. Sunday along Washington Avenue after his girlfriend told him she got into a confrontation with another woman.
"This specific strip of Washington is considered the nightlife district,” said Michaela Hogue of Rosalita’s Cantina.
In the early morning hours St. Patrick's Day, some establishments were still open, including an unidentified restaurant on the 1300 block of Washington Avenue where police said there were some tense moments.
A 24-year-old woman told police she got into an argument with an employee. The employee called her 41-year-old boyfriend who then showed up with a gun. When the 24-year-old walked out of the restaurant, the man shot her in the leg.
"I'm not surprised about it because of the world that we live in,” said Deanna Cooks as she walked downtown.
Hogue said at Rosalita’s, managers train staff on de-escalating situations like this.
"You can't control somebody lashing out but you can certainly remain calm in the situation," she said. "I've had every name in the books called at me but it's just like 'Oh OK. Sorry you feel that way. Time to go.’”
She said although people can get rowdy, she's noticed crime go down in recent years. She credits police parking outside of nearby intersections.
"It's their presence that helps and they will jump in and help if we have to escort someone out because they've had too many and we have to cut them off, they're always there to help,” Hogue said.
When police arrived, they were able to arrest the shooter without any problems. They said he didn't have the gun on him at the time.
People who work and visit downtown were stunned that a restaurant argument turned violent.
"Why are we out here shooting people? Let's talk like humans, be adults, and figure out what's going on,” Wanda Kelly said.
“What was he so mad about? That's what I want to know. Why was he that angry to actually shoot somebody?" Kelly asked.
EMS treated the victim on scene. Police continue to investigate.