Chapel Hill police arrested a man on Wednesday after they said he fired shots into the air, hours after another man was shot to death.
According to the police department, the incident happened just before 6 p.m. on East Franklin Street.
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Matthew Ballato, manager of Top of the Hill, said the shooting happened very close to the restaurant, and he's concerned what could've happened if more people were around at the time.
"A little unnerving," he said. "Especially with all the street and foot traffic. When you see a big police presence here in Chapel Hill, it's definitely not something that's very common here."
William Rankin, another business owner on Franklin Street, showed WRAL News that the bullet from the man's gun hit his door after he heard six shots.
"It went here in the wall, and it bounced off and landed right in front of my door," he said. "Everyone is upset it happened and people are afraid."
Daniel Richardson an employee at Insomnia Cookies, said he saw several police officers running down the street to make an arrest.
"A horde of people with like assault rifles [and] tactical vests just came bolting out of the car, running past the bus station," he said.
Police said 37-year-old Joe Antonio Tyson fired shots in the air following an argument with another person. No one was injured.
“Our downtown officers took [Tyson] into custody within about three minutes … We’re grateful that no one was injured,” Police Chief Celisa Lehew said.
The shots fired come hours after another man was shot and killed two miles away on Ashley Forest Road. Police arrested a suspect and charged them with murder.
Police said the two cases are not connected to each other.
“A deadly shooting on Ashley Forest Road and the shots fired on Franklin Street this evening are difficult reminders that gun violence affects everyone, and we will not tolerate it,” Lehew said. “Our hearts are with the loved ones and community members affected by this violence.”
Police are asking anyone with information on either case to call 911 or contact the Chapel Hill Police Department at 919-968-2760. Callers who want to remain anonymous can contact Chapel Hill-Carrboro-UNC Crime Stoppers at 919-942-7515 or online.