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San Diego police arrest man suspected of shooting into Asian Bistro restaurant

Stefano Markell Parker faces 11 felony counts
Posted at 4:24 PM, Feb 13, 2019
and last updated 2019-02-13 18:24:43-05

SAN DIEGO - San Diego police said 29-year-old Stefano Markell Parker faces several felony charges, including nine attempted murder charges, after he allegedly fired multiple shots into a restaurant.

At around 7:40 p.m. Tuesday, San Diego police responded to reports of gunfire at the restaurant.

Witnesses reported seeing a six-foot, 250-pound black man wearing a trench coat and armed with a rifle approach the Asian Bistro restaurant and open fire.

As the gunman fired, several customers and workers inside ran for cover, but police said gunfire shattered glass at the front of the eatery and did not strike anyone inside.

After the shooting, the man lowered his rifle and walked away from the scene, according to police.

As officers searched the area for the gunman, a witness told police they saw the shooter change clothes and provided a description of the outfit.

Police spotted the man in an alley in the 3500 block of Fourth Avenue and detained him for questioning. In a Dumpster near where the shooting took place, officers found a duffel bag containing the weapon believed to have been used in the incident. Officers also found the discarded clothing that matched the clothing the suspect was wearing.

Investigators also recovered at least 19 shell casings at the shooting scene.

After linking him to the shooting, police arrested Parker. SDPD officials said Parker faces nine counts of attempted murder, one count of using a firearm in any felony and felony possession of a firearm.

Parker is being held at San Diego Central Jail without bail, according to jail records.

A motive for the shooting remains under investigation, police said.