1 shot near popular diner in South End area

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Midnight Diner is a popular late-night restaurant in South End, but before 3 a.m., police had the back parking lot roped off after Langston Giles was shot in the stomach.

Police arrested Bryan Thomas in connection with the shooting at the diner. Police said Tomas tried to rob two men and then shot one of them.

Police were investigating another incident nearby at the time when they heard gunshots.

They arrived at the scene to find a man who had been shot in the stomach. Some car windows were shattered nearby.

Medic rushed the man to a hospital with life-threatening injuries while police questioned witnesses and began looking for a suspect.

Eyewitness News spoke to one person who didn't want to be identified, but he said he was riding through a nearby intersection when he heard several shots.

“I heard at least six or seven gunshots at the diner, and I flew through the light, and the cops were right on it. As soon as I heard the shots, they were over here taking care of everything,” he said.

Larry Mims was coming by the diner for lunch, but said he eats at the diner late at night and has never felt unsafe.

"I really feel like it could have happened anywhere. It doesn’t scare me. It doesn't make me afraid. I’m not going to stop eating here. You know, crime is all over our city," Mims said.

WSOC