Hostage incident at McDonald's ends with two injured, two arrested

GREENVILLE, S.C. (AP) -- Three employees were taken hostage early Sunday during an attempted robbery at a McDonald's restaurant. One escaped and the others were freed hours later after the suspects' fathers talked the two men into surrendering.

One hostage was shot but was able to walk out of the restaurant, and another was sexually assaulted, Police Chief Willie Johnson said.

Police received a call at about 6 a.m. that someone was trying to rob the restaurant, Johnson said. One hostage escaped about two hours later, and, at one point, shots were fired inside the restaurant, Johnson said.

One suspect surrendered just after 10 a.m and the second gave up about 30 minutes later, Johnson said. He identified the men as Michael Sheppard, 20, and Mario Baldwin, 21, both of Greenville. Both were arrested.

Johnson said their fathers had helped police talk them into surrendering.

One of the hostages, identified as Eric Marshall, was in serious condition Sunday at Greenville Memorial Hospital, spokeswoman Robyn Zimmerman said.

The condition of the other hostage was not immediately available.