Shelton restaurant owner shot by ‘demanding’ customer

The owner of a Shelton restaurant is in stable condition after being shot multiple times early Wednesday during a Kiwanis Club meeting.

The shooting took place about 7:45 a.m. at Spencer Lake Bar and Grill on 1180 E. Pickering Road. The restaurant opened earlier than usual to host the club.

A man walked into the restaurant and was “being real loud and obnoxious and demanding,” according to Chief Criminal Deputy Ryan Spurling of the Mason County Sheriff’s Office. The man was asked to be quiet, but he refused, and a scuffle ensued with the owner.

The man shot the owner about three times with a small-caliber handgun. Despite his wounds, the owner helped subdue and disarm the suspect before police arrived, Spurling said. The owner has been identified as Larry Lawrence.

“He’s one tough individual,” said Spurling, noting that Lawrence was in stable condition Wednesday at Providence St. Peter Hospital in Olympia.

No one else was hurt during the shooting. Spurling said children were present and witnessed the incident.

The suspect has been booked into Mason County Jail and is scheduled to appear Thursday in Mason County Superior Court. His identity and age have not been released.

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Update:

This story was originally published March 15, 2017 at 4:28 PM with the headline "Shelton restaurant owner shot by ‘demanding’ customer."