3 dead after woman tells husband she's leaving him at Cracker Barrel in Ohio
BROOKLYN, Ohio -- An Ohio father opened fire on his family inside a Cracker Barrel restaurant Thursday evening, killing his daughter on her birthday and his wife, who told him she was leaving him, police said. Officers shot and killed the 51-year-old man after he walked outside the restaurant and refused to surrender.
Police say Kevin Allen fatally shot his 42-year-old wife, Katherina Allen, and their 10-year-old Kerri Allen, and also wounded the couple's other 10-year-old daughter, Kayla, who was in critical condition on Friday. Police records showed that it was Kerri’s birthday on Thursday, The Associated Press reported.
Authorities said Katherina Allen had called 911 from inside the restaurant, saying her husband was upset because she told him she was leaving him. He left the restaurant and was circling the parking lot, she told police. She also told police she was fearful he may become violent.
"I'm having some spouse problems," Katherina Allen told the dispatcher in the 911 call.
At the end of the call, Allen said, "He's here and the police are here, too. I have to ..." before she stops speaking.
The dispatcher replied, "Wait in the lobby for the officers. Do not go outside. Let them talk to him, OK? Ma'am?" The call then ends in a jumble of noise.
Witnesses told police Kevin Allen came into the restaurant with a long gun and "selectively" fired on his family.
Officers heard gunshots when they arrived and saw Allen, a resident of Strongsville, leaving the restaurant with a gun. Police Chief Scott Mielke said officers shot Allen when he refused to surrender. He died at the scene.
Jody McIntosh, a waitress at the restaurant, told The Cleveland Plain Dealer she was home when a co-worker called her, saying someone "had shot up the place."
Cracker Barrel spokeswoman Julie K. Davis said the restaurant will be closed until an investigation is complete.
"This appears to be the result of a domestic dispute between two guests and no Cracker Barrel employees were involved," Davis said in an email, according to the AP.
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