Restaurant Manager Gunfight with Robber

A masked man with a gun tried to rob a Taco-Mac employee taking out the trash, but the restaurant employees turned the tables on the would-be robber.

Police said a man may have been shot while trying to rob Taco Mac in the Virginia Highlands Sunday morning after closing.

A restaurant spokesperson said an employee was taking out the trash around 3:30 when a masked man approached him with a gun, forcing the worker back inside.

That's where the would-be robber learned the manager was armed, too. A spokesperson for the restaurant said the manager and the suspect fired at each other and that the masked man then ran to a waiting car bleeding. None of the four employees was hurt.

The restaurant released a statement. "The safety and security of our customers and employees is of utmost importance. We are continuing to work with local authorities to try to apprehend the criminals that committed this crime."

"I'm really sorry this happened. It's terrible," said CJ Moreland of Moe's & Joe's Bar.

The incident has many who live and work in the area on edge. They said they'll be changing their safety habits.

"We will take necessary precautions – no one walks out alone at nights, go out the front, take a cab home," said Moreland.

"I think it's a wakeup call. Surprisingly out of character," said business owner Patrick Dennis.

They are hoping the gunman is caught and say the shooting is a reminder - crime can happen anywhere.

"Don't take things for granted things will always be safe. Keep your eyes open," said Dennis.