Grove Restaurant Owner Shot In Leg

A Grove business owner was wounded at his restaurant overnight Sunday, police say. Todd Merrill, owner of the American Grill, was shot in the right thigh, according to Chief of Police Mark Morris.

Morris told News On 6 the restaurant owner was working late doing paperwork when he was confronted by a man who'd entered an unlocked door. The man fired several shots at Merrill, hitting him in the leg.

The shooter got away, and Morris said the shooting victim was not able to give a good description of the man since it was dark in the restaurant. Authorities are checking to see if they can get surveillance video from surrounding businesses.

Merrill was taken to a Joplin hospital where family members said he would have surgery on his right leg, the Grove Sun reports. The Sun also reported that the incident may have been a botched burglary.