HARRISBURG, PA – A Pennsylvania restaurant owner is facing charges after he allegedly shot a teenage boy who attempted to steal a tip jar, authorities revealed. Mohammed Hamdan, 39, stands accused of discharging his firearm several times at a 15-year-old boy within his eatery, Hook Fish and Chicken, located in Stowe Township, northwest of Pittsburgh, according to Allegheny County Police Department.
According to initial reports, police were alerted to a shooting at around 10 p.m. The mother of the stricken teenager contacted authorities shortly after, reporting her son was shot multiple times.
The boy, accompanied by his brother, had entered the restaurant. Surveillance footage reveals the moment the boy approached the counter, made an order with Hamdan, and then attempted to snatch a plastic jar for tips from the counter.
The teen had started exiting the restaurant when Hamdan, who had produced a handgun from his waistband, allegedly fired at least three shots toward him. After the shooting, the teen is seen running down the sidewalk, according to the complaint.
During a subsequent interview with investigators, Hamdan claimed the victim and his sibling had entered his establishment earlier in the day and anticipated their theft attempt. However, Allegheny County police stated in their summary that upon reviewing surveillance footage and interviewing witnesses, no evidence suggested the teenager was armed or threatened Hamdan.
The teenage boy was hospitalized at UPMC Children’s Hospital, treated for two gunshot wounds to his right forearm and another to his right shoulder blade resulting in a fracture. There is ambiguity surrounding whether the teenager will face charges related to the theft attempt. Meanwhile, Hamdan has been detained at the Allegheny County Jail awaiting an arraignment hearing.