Cashier shot during armed robbery at McDonald’s in southwest Houston

HOUSTON -- A McDonald's employee was shot in the stomach during an armed robbery in southwest Houston. It happened on Feb. 8 in the 10000 block of Beechnut near Wilcrest.

Surveillance video shows a mother at the McDonald's counter with her child in her arms. Feet away, three masked gunmen storm the restaurant. They put a gun to the mother's head. We spoke to the woman's husband who was sitting in the car outside.

"My wife went inside to get food for the kids. I was looking down and I heard a gunshot go off. When I looked up, I saw a man in between the tables with a gun pointing," said the witness. You can also see a 7-year-old boy playing in the video when the men stormed the place.

"My son was by the toy display, looking at the happy meal toys. He was looking at the animated cups," said the witness. He quickly ran to his mother where they ducked for cover. Right after, an employee was shot in the stomach. You can see the shooter with the gun.

"The employee who was shot was working the front register. As he was backing away, he may have been moving to slow for the suspect," said HPD Officer George Collin Craig.

The manager then was held at gun point while the gunmen cleaned out the cash register. While the robbery was happening, dad was waiting in the car and started panicking.

"I thought they shot my wife and kids. So at that moment I drove around to look for the criminal and thought I will run him over. Three came out with guns," said the witness.

The McDonald's robbery happened just hours after a T-Mobile store was robbed. That happened just a few blocks away. That happened in broad daylight with several customers inside. Shots were fired.

"They're showing a complete disregard for life at this point, they're firing weapons at employees," said the officer. Over at the McDonald's, customers are left nervous. "We eat here almost every day because I don't cook," said Germaine Duncan.

The suspects took off in a silver colored 4-door sedan. The McDonald's employee is undergoing surgery. Call Crime Stoppers with any information at 713-222-TIPS. You can remain anonymous and receive a $5,000 reward.

Houston woman found dead after reporting robbery, kidnapping

HOUSTON, TX— A southwest Houston woman has been found dead at home following a weekend in which she reported being robbed, abducted, freed and her car stolen.

Police on Tuesday announced the homicide investigation into the death of 25-year-old Meghan Hairston.

Autopsy results are pending on Hairston, whose body was discovered Monday by her mother when she could not reach her daughter. Police said Hairston was found at 5914 Bridlington about 5:30 p.m.

Investigators say Hairston on Friday reported an aggravated robbery at her residence. She told police that four unknown people barged in, stole items and forced her to accompany them to ATMs and withdraw cash. Police say Hairston was later dropped off unharmed at an undisclosed location.

Hairston on Saturday reported her home was burglarized and her car stolen. The vehicle was recovered Monday.

Witnesses- Denny's customer killed by robbers was trying to protect children

HOUSTON – A customer was fatally shot and an employee was injured during a robbery at a Denny’s restaurant in west Houston. It happened at the Denny’s along Interstate 10 at Washington Avenue around 10:30 p.m. Monday, according to officers with the Houston Police Department.

Police said three men wearing masks and bandanas went into the restaurant and ordered all customers and employees to the ground. A family member of one of the victims said the men took purses and cell phones, and even pointed their guns at small children. The men also stole money from the customers and the cash register.

Witnesses said the robbers became angry and started shooting before they left the scene. The bullets struck a customer and an employee who was trying to escape out the front door. The robbers escaped in a minivan, believed to be stolen.

Police spent several hours looking over the scene and the evidence, which included bullet holes in some of the cars parked outside. Police said the men wore masks, but the crime and the getaway vehicle may have been captured on video by surveillance cameras.

If they are putting a gun to a small kid’s head, they need to be stopped," said Drue Placette. Denny’s reopened a few hours after the deadly robbery. Regulars stopped by to check on the employees they’ve come to know.

"You never think it’s going to happen to somebody you know, or some place that you go, and it’s really sad when it does," said Peggy McMillan, a regular. "It’s horrible. We just want to check and make sure everybody is OK. I know somebody didn’t make it and we feel really bad about it."