From Tribune staff reports
BIRMINGHAM — A Birmingham restaurant owner is in custody following a shooting that left a restaurant customer dead, according to Birmingham Police Sgt. LaQuitta Wade. The shooting occurred inside Pita Stop near UAB Highlands Hospital on the Southside.
The victim has been identified as Ricardo Tafoya Garcia, 30, of Pinson.
Garcia was transported to UAB Hospital by Birmingham Fire and rescue where he was pronounced deceased.
“The preliminary investigation suggest that the victim, who’s a customer of the restaurant, was involved in a verbal dispute with the suspect who is the owner of the business,” Wade said. “The verbal dispute then turned into physical altercation which led to the suspect firing shots, striking the victim. The suspect is in custody.”