Posted 11/21/18

Several patrons and an off-duty officer at a restaurant in Lawrenceburg stepped in after a man attempted to take his own life.

Saturday, the Lawrenceburg Police Department was called to Hinie’s BBQ on North Locust Avenue.

According to Hinie’s BBQ, the man came into the restaurant early in the evening and walked up to a female customer.

After a brief argument, the situation escalated when the man allegedly pulled out a gun and shot himself twice.

The off-duty police officer secured both the scene and the subject. The officer, staff, and other customers began helping administer first aid until EMS arrived.

The man was flown to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in critical condition.

Because of the incident, the restaurant got in touch with the Tennessee Disaster Mental Health Strike team and will hold a meeting today (Monday) for their employees, staff, and for anyone that might have been inside the restaurant at the time of the shooting.

The meeting will be at the North Venue behind Hinie’s BBQ at 3 p.m. The Tennessee Disaster Mental Health Strike team will be at the meeting as well as local pastors, counselors, and members of law enforcement to help administer counseling for those that need it.

After the meeting, the restaurant will let the public know its plans for reopening.