Police say teen fired on Taco Bell employee on break in Elk Grove parking lot

A 19-year-old Taco Bell employee was injured in a shooting late Thursday night while sitting in his car during a break at the Elk Grove restaurant, police said.

Officers responded just after 9 p.m. to the Taco Bell on the 8700 block of Elk Grove Blvd., near Emerald Oak Drive, after reports of a shooting in the parking lot, according to the Elk Grove Police Department.

Officers said the employee was seated in his vehicle when another car pulled up next to him. The two spoke briefly and, during the conversation, according to police, the suspect shot the victim inside the car before driving away.

The worker drove to a nearby fire station for help and was later taken to a hospital with a gunshot wound that was not considered life-threatening, police said.

Investigators later located the suspect vehicle at a home in southwest Elk Grove. A 17-year-old, believed to be the suspect, was arrested and booked into juvenile hall in connection with the shooting, police said.

“Strong teamwork and solid police work allowed officers to quickly find the suspect and take him into custody,” Elk Grove officers said in a statement.

Authorities said it was unclear whether the suspect and victim knew each other. The circumstances leading up to the shooting remained under investigation.

Taco Bell and the surrounding parking lot were closed for several hours while officers processed the scene, police said.