ATLANTA -- Walter Frank Gordy Jr., son of the owner of the Varsity Restaurant, an Atlanta landmark, was shot and killed early Tuesday in a confrontation with police.
Gordy, 48, who operated the Varsity Jr. fast-food restaurant in the northeastern section of the city, was shot to death by two Fulton County policemen answering a complaint that a man had been firing a gun in the parking lot of an all-night diner.
Police said Gordy was seated inside the Steak & Egg Kitchen north of Atlanta when officers arrived. Investigators said Gordy whirled around and drew a pistol from his jacket, pointing it at Officers D.L. Hendricks and J.H. Burton, who both fired at Gordy, killing him instantly.
Fulton County Assistant Police Chief Louis Graham said no disciplinary action would be taken against the two officers unless the district attorney determined they acted wrongly in the shooting.
Witnesses told police Gordy was waving a pistol whenhe sat down and ordered breakfast at the diner. Police said Gordy told employees he would shoot them if they called the police.
Fulton County police said they received a complaint at about 1:45 a.m. that a man was firing a pistol in the parking lot.
Gordy's father founded the Varsity Restaurant in downtown Atlanta near the Georgia Tech campus.
