APS employee hit during shootout outside restaurant

An Atlanta Public Schools employee was caught in the crossfire when a man reportedly shot at people in a crowded restaurant parking lot and a Fulton County deputy returned fire, Channel 2 Action News reported.

The victim was identified by her mother as Keyanna Brown, 26, according to Channel 2. Brownis a paraprofessional at Inman Middle School.

According to Channel 2, she was an innocent bystander attempting to flee the chaotic scene when shewas shot in the arm.

“The APS family extends its best wishes for a full and speedy recovery to Ms. Brown,” school district spokesman Ian Smith said in a statement to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

The incident happened about 1 a.m. Sunday outside the Cozumel Mexican Cantina in the 5000 block of Old National Highway, GBI spokeswoman Nelly Miles said.

Two Fulton County sheriff’s deputies were working an off-duty, part-time job when an altercation involving restaurant customers broke out in the parking lot.

“The subject fired at least two shots at additional patrons,” Miles said. “During the altercation, a deputy and a security guard fired their weapons. The subject was struck and taken into custody.”

The suspected shooter, identified by the GBI as 29-year-old College Park resident James Bernard Lawrence Jr., was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital. He was in critical condition Monday afternoon.

No officers were injured.