HOUSTON – Houston police are looking for a man who shot a pregnant fast-food cashier in north Houston Tuesday night.
Police said the shooting happened around 9:29 p.m. in the 2200 block of Little York near Aldine Westfield Road.
Surveillance video showed the moment a man in his 50s ordered food in the drive-thru and drove up to the window. When the pregnant cashier — who is nearly six months pregnant — turned away from him and then turned back around, the man was pointing a pistol at her and demanded money, police said.
“He’s got a pistol pointed at her,” aid Lt. R. Willkens with the Houston Police Department. “He says, ‘Give me all your money.’ She gets scared, she turns and starts to run. He shoots her one time in the buttocks.”
Police said the woman ran to the back of the restaurant and called 911.
The shooter fled the scene in a white Chevy Equinox, without any cash, officers said. Police said he was wearing a dark-colored shirt and had a tattoo on his left arm.
Authorities said the surveillance video also showed the man grabbing his drink before driving off.
The woman was transported to a nearby hospital and is being treated for her injuries.
Customers said the incident in a product of the times, but it is a good thing the woman was not more seriously injured.
“It’s just the times, I’m guessing,” said Charlie Johnson. “People are hard up and do stupid things.”
One woman said she would have just given the man the money.
“Especially if I’m pregnant, I’ll just give you the money,” said Erika Peyrani. “My life is worth a lot more than money. I would just give it to you.”
Authorities said the woman is expected to be released from the hospital on Wednesday.
Jack in the Box issued the following statement about the shooting:
We are aware of the situation that occurred and are working with the restaurant and local authorities to conduct a full investigation.