'I got mad': Waffle House cook relives moment he was shot trying to stop robbery

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — A Waffle House cook who came face-to-face with an armed robber is still recovering after he was shot protecting his co-workers.

Channel 2's Tyisha Fernandes has been in contact with the cook since the shooting happened last week on Columbia Drive and sat down for an exclusive interview Tuesday. He asked us not to use his name as police are still looking for the gunman.

The cook said he started his shift around 9 p.m. that day and everything was normal, until a suspect walked in around 4:30 a.m. with his face covered up.

The cook did not see the gunman at first until a co-worker got his attention.

“I didn’t hear him say anything. That was the crazy part. Until she tapped me and I turned around. He said, 'Go ahead and put the money in the bag,'” he told Fernandes.

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Moments later, things got more intense when the gunman told the cook he needed him to hurry up. The cook said he grabbed the gun when the gunman cocked it back.

“He tried to tussle with me for a second. But after I got shot, I got mad. So I just went ahead and took the gun," he said.

He was shot in the stomach before the gunman ran outside and shot at someone else.

The cook told Fernandes that he was not focused on the pain, but he was worried about leaving his daughter without a father.

Waffle House workers told Fernandes that managers adjusted security cameras and added some features to make them better.

Anyone with information about the shooting can contact DeKalb County police.

A GoFundMe has been created to help the cook pay for his medical expenses. To donate, click here.

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