Burger King Shooting Results in Death of One Customer

"Burger King Shooting Results in Death of One Customer"
 

Pacoima – On Wednesday, June 6, 2001, at 10:10 P.M., Foothill Area patrol officers responded to a radio call of "shots fired" at the Burger King located at 12781 Van Nuys Boulevard. As the officers approached the Burger King, they went in pursuit of a car they saw speeding away. The officers pursued the car until it arrived at the emergency entry of Pacifica Hospital which is located at 9375 San Fernando Road. The driver of the car informed the officers that they had transported the victim of a gunshot wound to the head. The victim was rushed inside for emergency treatment where he failed to respond and was pronounced dead by hospital personnel.
Meanwhile, additional officers arrived at the Burger King where they met a large number of witnesses. Over the course of several hours of interviews, it became apparent that three customers had arrived and that a verbal argument broke out between Burger King employees and three male customers. The dispute escalated to the point where a uniformed armed guard employed by the restaurant had to escort the three customers outside and lock the doors.
What happened next has not been verified, but it appears that some witnesses, including the security guard, believed that one of the three male customers then armed himself with a gun, fired a shot, causing a bullet hole in a restaurant window, and then pointed a gun at the security guard. It was then that the security guard shot the man, who had been transported to the hospital by the speeding vehicle.
The shooting victim is identified as Clifton Chester, age 22, a resident of Pacoima.
No arrest has been made pending further investigation.
Foothill Homicide Detectives are handling the investigation. For further information, please contact Media Relations Section, 213-485-3586.
This press release was prepared by Officer Guillermo Campos, Media Relations Section, 213-485-3586.