Texas Roadhouse employee shot after trying to stop man from leaving without paying for his meal, police say

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE/Gray News) — A Texas Roadhouse employee is recovering after being shot by a customer at a restaurant in Kentucky, according to police.

Louisville Metro Police responded to a call Thursday at about 6 p.m. for a shooting at a local Texas Roadhouse.

When they arrived, officers found an employee who had been shot in the shoulder and began providing aid. The victim was taken to the hospital and is expected to survive.

Police arrested Ronald Winter, 24. He is charged with second-degree assault and is being held at the Bullitt County Jail.

According to the arrest warrant, the Texas Roadhouse employee saw Winter try to leave without paying for his meal. The employee confronted Winter and grabbed his arm.

Winter reached for a gun in his waistband and the employee attempted to tackle Winter to the ground when the gun was fired, police said.

The employee was shot in the shoulder. He was able to describe Winter, who fled in a red Ford Ranger, according to multiple witnesses and surveillance footage, police said.

The Bullitt County Sheriff’s Office found Winter with a black handgun that had a shell casing in the chamber.

Texas Roadhouse thanked police in a social media post and said the injured employee was in stable condition and would be released from the hospital.