3 people shot near Stockbridge Popeyes, Dollar General

STOCKBRIDGE, Ga. - A shooting in Stockbridge has left three people injured and shell casing littering the parking lot of a normally busy shopping center.

Officers were called out around 9 p.m. to the Dollar General located along North Henry Boulevard at Highway 138 after reports of shots fired. Officers found two people in a vehicle who had been shot. 

Moments after the first 911 call, another report came in, this time it was across the street at the Popeyes. Stockbridge Police Lt. Commander Ron Momon says the caller told dispatchers a man was in the restaurant and bleeding. Investigators believe that person somehow made it over to that business from the shopping center’s parking lot.

Employees at a nearby restaurant told FOX 5 they heard about a dozen gunshots. The group ducked for cover behind a freezer.

Two people were shot in the leg and the other was shot in the chest. All three were rushed to Grady Memorial Hospital and were talking to medics.

It was not immediately clear how many shots were fired or if this was a shootout, but investigators say three guns were recovered.

A motive behind the shooting is still under investigation. 

"We believe all three of the victims are connected somehow. We just don't know how they are connected," Lt. Commander Momon said.

Investigators will spend the evening combing over and documenting the crime scene, reviewing surveillance video, and speaking to witnesses.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Stockbridge Police Department or Crime Stoppers Atlanta.

This story is breaking. Check back for details. If you have additional information, pictures, or video email newstipsatlanta@fox.com.