MARION, Ark. — Police in Marion increased patrols around town after a shootout in the parking lot of McDonald’s.
Police told WREG a fight broke out inside the restaurant and then shots were fired in the parking lot.
It happened along the I-55 service road and Highway 64 in Marion.
Officers said the bullets were flying between gas pumps.
They said the situation was bad but could have been much worse.
Marion Police rolled through the lot Monday night keeping a watchful eye at the Shell/McDonald’s as patrons entered, got what they needed and left.
Police said they wanted customers to feel safe after an unheard of shootout in the parking lot.
“I’ve been coming here for 10 years. Been living here for 10 years and I haven’t seen anything like that here, nothing even like it,” said Vincent Shinabery.
Police said the fight started inside the McDonalds.
Several groups of people were hanging out inside, when tempers flared.
Some people walked out to the cars and then gunfire was exchanged from the restaurant to the pumps and back again with many innocent people caught in the middle.
Police said they’re looking at security cameras, trying to get answers but no one involved has cooperated with them.
Detectives did learn the crowd came to the restaurant after a basketball game let out at Marion High School last week.
Police said Marion was playing Earle, and it brought a lot of people to the city, and thus the restaurant and gas station.
“People get caught up in all the excitement of one town against the other,” said Slade Patterson. “It doesn’t matter where you go, it’s bound to happen sooner or later.”
Police said this was different, to happen in such a public place.
That’s why they decided to put undercover officers out again and stepped up marked patrols too.
If you know anything about what happened at the store, please give police a call.
