Fla. restaurant owner allegedly shoots at customer in billing dispute

By: Crimesider Staff
Topics: Daily Blotter

Quoc Trong Tran, the owner of a Winter Park, Fla. restaurant, allegedly shot at customers in a billing dispute

/ WKMG

(CBS) WINTER PARK, Fla. - The owner of a Florida Japanese restaurant was arrested after police say he shot at one of his customers over a disputed bill of less than $20 on Sunday night, reports CBS affiliate WKMG.

The incident began when James Phillips and Destin McMahon argued with the manager and owner at Winter Park's Wazzabi Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi Bar.

The customers said they weren't happy with the food and while one paid, the other did not.

"I never expected that I would receive that type of treatment because I complained about a meal - that my life would be put in danger," said Phillips. "They begin harassing us and cussing at us and telling us to leave their restaurant and when we got in the car to leave, they began beating the car and then they shot at the car."

Phillips and McMahon said the owner and workers chased them into the parking lot, beat dents into the car, and then fired two shots at them.

Police arrested the owner, Quoc Trong Tran, on charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Another employee, Hoai Trong Tran, was arrested on a charge of criminal mischief.

"My uncle, the owner of that restaurant, was just protecting his property and making sure nobody was just coming in, getting free sushi, complaining about it, walking out," said Randall Tran.

The owner reportedly told police he only opened fire because he thought his customers were trying to run him over.

The customers were not charged with any crime.

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by all4science October 23, 2012 2:48 AM EDT: The restaurant owners were stupid; they should've just locked the exit and called the police. I know of some friends who are cheapskates too. They would swallow everything, then complain about the food quality to get a free meal.; Reply to this comment


by all4science October 23, 2012 2:45 AM EDT: The restaurant owners were stupid; they should've just locked the exit and called the police. I know of some friends who are cheapskates too. They would swallow everything, then complain about the food quality to get a free meal.; Reply to this comment


by ellensmithee October 23, 2012 1:30 AM EDT: Wow, what psycho maniacs. I hope their business closes. They've no one to blame but themselves.; Reply to this comment


by aubfmet October 22, 2012 11:08 PM EDT: Better to hire a sumo wrestler as a maitre'd.; Reply to this comment


by FormerUSMCSergeant October 22, 2012 10:09 PM EDT: Phillips and McMahon said the owner and workers chased them into the parking lot, beat dents into the car, and then fired two shots at them.
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I guess that means they didn't get a comped meal as a result, eh?; Reply to this comment


by eteamer October 22, 2012 8:49 PM EDT: Florida; Reply to this comment


by rwsmith29456 October 22, 2012 8:29 PM EDT: Did they leave a tip??; Reply to this comment


by john92021 October 22, 2012 7:39 PM EDT: we aim to please.; Reply to this comment


by Wrx2TheMaxx October 22, 2012 7:31 PM EDT: Customer Satisfaction not required, New Sign at register "You come, You eat, You pay, or I shoot...."; Reply to this comment

by HM8432 October 22, 2012 5:57 PM EDT

Skipping out on the bill is the same as shoplifting. If you don't like the customer service, just don't eat there again...or plant a dead house pet inside the Oriental restaurant and immediately call the Health Dept (only kidding, don't do that)!

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by ellensmithee October 23, 2012 1:29 AM EDT: No one skipped out on the bill. He complained about bad food and refused to pay. No one "skipped out, ran off". Nothing illegal about refusing to pay for a horrible product. I suppose he should have stuck his finger down his throat and you'd think that's okay, huh? He would have returned it, and that would be okay with you.