ENCINITAS, CA – An Encinitas businessman and a bystander were injured Thursday in a shooting behind the merchant’s workplace.
The events that led to the gunfire began shortly before 8 a.m., when the owner of Ironsmith Coffee Roasters in the 400 block of South Coast Highway 101 asked Jmar Tarafa, 31, to leave the store for causing a disturbance, according to of San Diego County. Sheriff’s Department.
“A verbal argument continued in the back of the business, and then turned into a (physical) fight,” said Lt. Christopher Lawrence. “During the change, the owner of the coffee shop produced a gun. The gun went off once during the struggle.”
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The bullet grazed the businessman in the back of his neck, and gunshot shrapnel hit the bystander in the leg, the lieutenant said.
After the shooting, Tarafa fled with the gun, while the merchant ran to a nearby fire station for help. Firefighters found Tarafa nearby, restrained him and held him for deputies, the lieutenant said.
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Tarafa was arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and brandishing a firearm in a threatening manner.
“At this time, there are no charges against the owner of the coffee shop,” Lawrence said Thursday afternoon.
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