Customer shot 18-year-old NC Waffle House employee, police said

An 18-year-old Waffle House employee is dead and the search is underway for his killer following a late-night shooting at the restaurant chain.

At around 12:45 a.m. Friday, Laurinburg police responded to a call reporting shots fired at the Waffle House on Scotland Crossing Drive, WMBF reported.

Inside the restaurant, officers found an employee named Burlie Locklear suffering from a gunshot wound. Emergency medical services took him to the hospital, where he later died.

Police said the investigation revealed that a customer became upset and began verbally abusing employees while waiting for his food.

After the customer received his food, he walked to his car, turned around and fired two shots into the restaurant, hitting Locklear, police said.

The customer left the scene and was last seen on Scotland Crossing Drive toward West Boulevard. Police said he was considered armed and dangerous.

Officers describe the suspect as a man with long dreadlocks and facial hair, including a full beard and mustache, between 5'8″ and 5'10″ tall and weighing between 130 and 170 pounds.

He was last seen wearing a dark blue hoodie, blue jeans and white shoes.

Investigators believe he may be driving a dark gray 2014 Chevrolet.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact Lt. J. White with the Laurinburg Police Department at 910-276-3211.