Saginaw Denny’s Shooting and Related Diner Violence

On January 1, 2012, a violent altercation at a Denny’s restaurant in Saginaw Township, Michigan, escalated into a shooting when Dana D. Harris, 26, allegedly fired multiple shots, threatening diners. Charged with four counts of assault with intent to murder and six firearm felonies, Harris faced a preliminary hearing on February 16, 2012. This incident, part of Bristol Blog’s coverage of late-night restaurant violence, mirrors similar crimes at Waffle House locations, highlighting public safety challenges in such settings.

Incident Details

Between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m. on New Year’s Day, a group of six or seven diners at Denny’s on Bay Road was confronted by another group (two men, two women) over a missing cellphone. The argument turned physical, with diners throwing chairs and cups for several minutes. After the fight subsided, Harris, who had left the restaurant, returned with a gun, pulled from his black jacket pocket, and declared, “You’re all going to die tonight,” as reported by MLive. He fired multiple shots, sending patrons and staff fleeing for safety.

Witness Testimonies

Five witnesses testified at Harris’s preliminary hearing, including four diners and a Denny’s server, Katie Martin. The diners, part of the initial group, described the argument over the cellphone escalating into a brawl. Martin recounted the chaos, stating, “They tore up our dining room before the shooting happened.” She saw Harris return, threaten everyone, and fire his gun, prompting her to run for her life. Harris was jailed on a $1 million bond, per MLive.

Waffle House Connection

Though the shooting occurred at Denny’s, it parallels violent incidents at Waffle House restaurants, such as the 2009 Warner Robins Waffle House shooting covered by Bristol Blog. Both involved late-night altercations escalating to gunfire, with suspects brandishing weapons in crowded settings. These patterns underscore the risks in 24-hour eateries, where disputes can turn deadly, prompting Bristol Blog to examine such cases for broader public safety insights.

Related Denny’s Shootings

Similar incidents at Denny’s restaurants across the U.S. reveal a troubling pattern of late-night violence in 24-hour diners, akin to Waffle House cases, where the open, accessible nature of these venues often attracts disputes that escalate into deadly encounters. Below are detailed accounts of four such shootings, illustrating the broader issue of restaurant safety:

Manassas, VA, December 26, 2019: On December 26, 2019, at approximately 8:45 a.m., a Denny’s on Sudley Road in Manassas, Virginia, became the scene of a deadly armed robbery. Two suspects, Jordan Anderson and Ryan Walker, both Black, entered the restaurant during a bustling breakfast shift, armed with a handgun and a baton. Their intent was to rob the establishment, but the situation quickly turned lethal. Anderson fired multiple shots, killing Yusuf Ozgur, a 56-year-old DoorDash driver and handyman who was picking up an order, and wounding a 34-year-old male patron in the leg. Ozgur, a father supporting his family through delivery gigs, was described by his 16-year-old daughter as a hardworking provider who “did everything for us.” The shooting sent patrons and staff scrambling for cover, with witnesses recalling the chaos as shots rang out in the crowded diner. Prince William County Police responded swiftly, arresting Anderson and Walker within days, linking them to a spree of armed robberies in the area, including a nearby hotel and convenience store. Court records revealed the duo targeted businesses during early morning hours, exploiting minimal staffing and high customer turnover. Anderson, identified as the shooter, was convicted and sentenced to 87 years in prison in June 2023, reflecting the severity of the crime. Walker, who used a baton to intimidate victims, entered an Alford plea and received 17 years in January 2024, acknowledging the evidence without admitting guilt. The Manassas community, a quiet suburb outside Washington, DC, was shaken, with local residents and business owners calling for enhanced security measures at 24-hour establishments. The incident drew parallels to Waffle House robberies, such as the 2009 Warner Robins case, where armed suspects exploited the open layout of diners. Denny’s management faced scrutiny over safety protocols, prompting discussions about panic buttons and on-site security, though no formal changes were reported. This case underscores the vulnerability of 24-hour diners to violent crime, particularly during transitional hours when crowds and low staffing create opportunities for chaos.
Houston, TX, April 17, 2022: On Easter Sunday, April 17, 2022, a Denny’s parking lot at 11009 Northwest Freeway in Houston, Texas, became the site of a fatal shooting rooted in a domestic dispute. Around 2 a.m., an unidentified man, described only as the current boyfriend of a woman, confronted her ex-boyfriend in the restaurant’s parking lot after an argument inside escalated. The confrontation turned deadly when the current boyfriend shot the ex-boyfriend, killing him on the spot. Houston Police Department officers arrived to find the victim deceased and detained the shooter, though no charges were publicly confirmed at the time, and the suspect’s identity and race remain undisclosed. The incident occurred during a late-night shift, a time when Denny’s often serves as a gathering spot for diverse crowds, from night-shift workers to partygoers. The shooting rattled patrons, who fled the scene as police cordoned off the area. Houston, a city grappling with high violent crime rates (over 4,000 aggravated assaults reported in 2022), saw this incident as part of a broader wave of gun violence, often tied to personal disputes spilling into public spaces. The Denny’s, located in a busy commercial corridor, lacked visible security measures like cameras or guards, raising questions about preventative strategies. Community leaders expressed frustration over recurring violence in public venues, with local media highlighting the need for conflict de-escalation training for restaurant staff. The case mirrors Waffle House shootings, such as the Harris incident in Saginaw, where interpersonal conflicts escalated to gunfire in or around 24-hour diners. The lack of suspect details complicates the narrative, but the incident underscores how domestic disputes can turn deadly in accessible, late-night settings, a recurring theme in Bristol Blog’s coverage of restaurant violence.
Bellflower, CA, February 21, 2013: In the early hours of February 21, 2013, a Denny’s at 17230 Lakewood Boulevard in Bellflower, California, was rocked by a shooting that left one person hospitalized. Around 1:30 a.m., a physical altercation outside the restaurant escalated when an unknown assailant fired multiple shots, striking a victim who suffered several gunshot wounds. Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department deputies arrived to find the scene chaotic, with no suspects present and witnesses scattered. The injured victim was rushed to a local hospital, but their condition and identity were not disclosed, and police sought additional victims or witnesses who may have fled. The Bellflower Denny’s, situated in a working-class suburb of Los Angeles, is a popular late-night spot for locals, making it a frequent target for loitering and disputes. The lack of identified suspects hindered the investigation, with no arrests reported and no suspect race or description provided. Bellflower’s crime statistics show a rise in violent incidents in 2013, with gang activity and transient populations contributing to unrest near commercial areas. The shooting prompted community concerns about safety at 24-hour establishments, with residents noting the absence of security personnel at the Denny’s. Local business owners called for increased police patrols and better lighting in parking lots, but no immediate changes were implemented. This incident parallels Waffle House shootings where fights escalate to gunfire, as seen in Bristol Blog’s coverage, highlighting the challenges of managing volatile crowds in open-access diners. The anonymity of the shooter and the fleeting nature of the incident reflect a broader issue: late-night diners as flashpoints for spontaneous violence, often leaving law enforcement with few leads and communities on edge.
Washington, DC, December 3, 2024: On December 3, 2024, a Denny’s at 1250 Bladensburg Road NE in Washington, DC, became the scene of a targeted homicide when Jeremiah Law, an 18-year-old local, was shot and killed in the restaurant’s bathroom around 8 p.m. The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) responded to reports of gunfire, finding Law deceased from multiple gunshot wounds. Surveillance footage identified an unidentified Black male as the person of interest, though no name or further description was released. MPD released stills from the footage, seeking public assistance and offering a $25,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. The shooting occurred during an evening rush, with the Denny’s serving a mix of families, workers, and transients in the Trinidad neighborhood, known for its mix of commercial and residential areas. DC’s 2024 homicide rate, while down 30% from 2023 (187 killings vs. 274, per The Washington Post), remained a concern, with gun violence concentrated in specific wards. Law’s killing sparked community outrage, with neighbors and activists decrying the loss of young lives to senseless violence. The Denny’s, a 24-hour fixture, lacked on-site security, and witnesses reported a chaotic scene as patrons fled. Police emphasized the targeted nature of the attack, suggesting a personal motive, but the suspect’s whereabouts remain unknown. The case draws parallels to Waffle House shootings, like the 2009 Warner Robins incident, where targeted violence disrupted crowded diners. Community leaders called for enhanced security measures, including private security cameras incentivized by DC’s rebate program, but no immediate policy changes emerged. The ongoing investigation, coupled with the reward, reflects MPD’s urgency to resolve the case, while the incident underscores the vulnerability of 24-hour restaurants to premeditated violence, a key focus of Bristol Blog’s reporting.

Conclusion

The Saginaw Denny’s shooting by Dana Harris, alongside other violent incidents at Denny’s and Waffle House, shocks communities and reflects the volatility of late-night restaurant environments. From armed robberies in Manassas to domestic disputes in Houston, brawls in Bellflower, and targeted killings in Washington, DC, these cases reveal a pattern of disputes escalating to gunfire in 24-hour diners. With Harris facing serious charges, and similar incidents leaving lasting scars, these events highlight the urgent need for enhanced security, conflict de-escalation training, and community policing in such venues. Bristol Blog continues to document these crimes to advocate for safer public spaces, urging restaurant chains, law enforcement, and policymakers to address these recurring threats and protect patrons in environments meant for community and comfort.

References

MLive, Five witnesses testify in preliminary hearing for Dana Harris in Saginaw Township Denny’s shooting, February 16, 2012.
NBC Washington, Delivery driver killed in shooting at Virginia Denny’s, December 26, 2019.
NBC Washington, 2 suspects arrested in fatal shooting, robbery at Virginia Denny’s, December 30, 2019.
Newsweek, Denny’s shooting sees woman’s current boyfriend kill ex on Easter: Police, April 17, 2022.
CBS Los Angeles, Bellflower Denny’s shooting: One hospitalized, other victims sought, February 21, 2013.
NBC Washington, Photos show person of interest in deadly shooting at DC Denny’s, December 5, 2024.
Prince William Times, Manassas man sentenced to 87 years in prison in connection with 2019 fatal shooting of a DoorDash delivery man, June 28, 2023.
InsideNoVa, Second suspect sentenced to a total of 17 years in prison in deadly 2019 Denny’s robbery, January 8, 2024.
The Washington Post, D.C. homicides drop significantly in 2024, police say, December 31, 2024.

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