Santa Rosa restaurant owner fires gun during scuffle over bill, police say

(BCN) — The owner of a Santa Rosa Salvadoran-Mexican restaurant was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon after allegedly firing a gun at someone, police said Monday.

Patrol officers responded to Dos Culturas Restaurant on Santa Rosa Avenue just after 4 a.m. on Monday after receiving a report of possible gunfire, the department said.

A 37-year-old man told investigators that he had been assaulted by the suspect but was not hit by gunfire. Witnesses alleged that restaurant owner Moises Flores, 48, was the suspect.

Detectives believe that Flores and the alleged victim had been drinking inside the restaurant when an argument broke out over the bill. The argument got physical and moved outside, and Flores allegedly retrieved a gun from inside the business, pointed it at the victim, and fired.

The sound of a gunshot and glass breaking was reported by witnesses, the department said. A car with a woman inside parked outside of the restaurant was found to have a broken rear window. Detectives allege that evidence ties Flores to the shooting.

No one was injured by gunshots, but the alleged victim had minor injuries from the physical fight, police said.

A search of the restaurant allegedly yielded a .357 revolver and live ammunition in the kitchen.
Flores is a felon and was on probation for a 2023 firearm and driving under the influence conviction, according to police. As a felon, he is prohibited from having firearms. His probation also prohibits him from drinking alcohol.

He was booked into the county jail on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, shooting into an occupied vehicle, violating his probation, and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

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