The Lodi Police Department are investigating a shooting at a McDonald's restaurant located at the corner of Lodi Avenue and Church Street.
Investigators were called to the restaurant around 9:30 a.m. Monday for reports of a disturbance at the restaurant. Few details about the incident have been released but department officials confirmed that there was a shooting that involved Lodi officers.
"In accordance with the San Joaquin County Officer Involved Critical Incident Protocol, the investigation will include members of the Lodi Police Department, the San Joaquin County District Attorney's Office, and the California Department of Justice. The investigation is currently in its preliminary stages and remains ongoing."
Department officials have advised
the public to stay out of the area.
Witness recounts harrowing experience
Lodi resident Cheryl Steneck said she was picking up her mobile order - a Frappé - when she saw the place surrounded by police. She said she witnessed a police officer draw his weapon near the restaurant.
She said she asked the woman taking her order what was happening and if she was aware that police were surrounding the business. Steneck said the employee told her there was a man with a gun inside.
The cashier told Steneck to pull forward because there was not a way for her to back up her vehicle and exit the drive-thru. When Steneck pulled to the window, she and the cashier spoke before four gunshots were fired.
Steneck recalled the cashier ducking down and putting her hands over her head, while Steneck rolled up her window without a way to escape the area.
"I was very scared," Steneck said. "I was screaming."
As of 1 p.m. Monday, yellow crime scene tape surrounded the area of the restaurant. Officers and squad vehicles could be seen near the drive-thru area of the building.
The Stockton Record will update the story as more details are released.
Record reporter Victoria Franco covers public safety in Stockton and San Joaquin County. She can be reached at vfranco@gannett.com. Support local news, subscribe to The Stockton Record at https://www.recordnet.com/subscribenow.
This article originally appeared on The Record: Lodi police investigate shooting at local McDonald's
