Police said a restaurant employee accused in the shooting remained jailed without bond Monday morning.
DURHAM, N.C. — A family-linked workplace dispute erupted into violence at a Durham restaurant during Mother’s Day brunch service Sunday, sending terrified customers running for safety after a longtime business owner was shot during an argument involving employees, according to police and witnesses.
Investigators identified the suspect as 55-year-old Samer Suliman Al-Mahmoud, who authorities said was arrested shortly after the shooting at Silver Spoon restaurant on North Roxboro Street. Police charged him with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury. Witnesses and restaurant employees said the victim was the restaurant owner and related to the suspect by marriage. The violence unfolded during one of the busiest dining periods of the year, with packed tables and families gathered for Mother’s Day celebrations. Customers described hearing a sudden loud noise before panic spread through the restaurant and diners rushed toward exits.
Durham police said officers were dispatched to the restaurant around 11:31 a.m. Sunday after emergency calls reported shots fired inside the business. Responding officers found frightened customers gathered outside while emergency medical crews treated the wounded man. Authorities later said the victim had attempted to intervene in a fight between two employees before being shot. Employees familiar with the incident told reporters the dispute involved relatives who worked together at the restaurant. Witnesses described an escalating verbal confrontation shortly before the gunfire. Diners seated near the kitchen area said they initially struggled to understand what had happened because the restaurant was crowded and noisy with holiday traffic. Within moments, however, workers began shouting for everyone to leave immediately. One customer later said he briefly returned inside after evacuating because his wife had left her purse behind during the confusion.
Investigators spent much of Sunday afternoon securing the scene and interviewing witnesses. Police vehicles surrounded the restaurant while detectives photographed evidence and blocked off portions of the parking lot with yellow tape. Authorities said the victim was transported to a hospital in critical condition after suffering a gunshot wound to the stomach. Police also confirmed that two additional people received injuries linked to the fight, though those injuries were considered non-life-threatening. Officials have not publicly explained whether the additional injuries occurred during the physical altercation or while customers evacuated the building. Detectives also have not released details about the firearm involved or whether it was legally possessed. By Monday morning, Al-Mahmoud remained jailed without bond while awaiting a scheduled appearance in Durham County court. Investigators said the case remains active and additional findings could emerge after further interviews and evidence review.
For many Durham residents, the shooting struck a personal nerve because Silver Spoon has long served as a neighborhood gathering place known for family-style breakfast service. Customers posting online described the restaurant as welcoming and community-focused, with many saying they regularly celebrated birthdays, holidays and weekend breakfasts there. Several residents expressed disbelief that violence occurred at a business associated with family dining and routine neighborhood gatherings. The incident also revived memories of another Mother’s Day shooting at a busy restaurant in Raleigh in 2025. In that case, a fight inside a Big Ed’s restaurant escalated into gunfire that injured multiple people during brunch service. While the circumstances differed, both cases involved holiday crowds, family gatherings and sudden violence in packed dining rooms. The Durham shooting added to broader concerns among residents about escalating workplace and family disputes becoming public safety emergencies.
Legal proceedings in the Durham case are expected to begin quickly as prosecutors review evidence and monitor the victim’s medical condition. Al-Mahmoud’s scheduled court appearance Monday marks the first formal stage in the criminal process. North Carolina law allows assault charges involving serious injury and intent to kill allegations to carry substantial prison penalties if convictions are secured. Prosecutors may later decide whether additional charges are appropriate depending on medical updates and investigative findings. Police said detectives are reviewing witness testimony along with any available surveillance recordings from inside the restaurant. Investigators are also expected to examine the timeline leading up to the confrontation and determine whether warning signs or earlier disputes preceded the shooting. Restaurant operations remained uncertain Monday while authorities continued processing evidence and employees confronted the emotional aftermath of the violence.
Outside the restaurant after the shooting, customers gathered in small groups while emergency vehicles lined the street and officers moved people away from entrances. Some diners used phones to contact relatives while others stood silently watching investigators move in and out of the building. Witnesses described hearing screams moments after the gunshot and seeing restaurant staff members usher families toward exits. Parents carried children through the parking lot as traffic slowed near the scene. Online community forums later filled with messages supporting the victim and restaurant workers. Several residents said they hoped the business would eventually recover from the tragedy despite the emotional impact on employees and loyal customers. By Sunday evening, the normally busy brunch destination sat largely empty behind police tape as detectives continued documenting evidence inside.
The investigation remained ongoing Monday as Durham police prepared for the suspect’s court hearing and awaited additional medical updates on the wounded restaurant owner. Authorities said more information would be released after detectives complete evidence review and witness interviews.
Author note: Last updated May 11, 2026.