Payton Involved in Accidental Shooting at Restaurant

Former Chicago Bears running back Walter Payton was involved in the accidental shooting of the manager of Payton’s suburban Chicago restaurant Wednesday, police said.

The victim, identified as Elmer Hutson, was shot about 3 p.m. when a third man handed the gun to Payton, 33, and the weapon discharged, Schaumburg Police Chief Kenneth Alley said at a news conference.

Payton was questioned and released, and no charges are expected, Alley said. Police also questioned Payton’s wife, Connie, and four other employees, who all “corroborate the same story,” the chief said.

The third man involved was not identified.

“Walter was on the telephone sitting beside the desk,” Alley said, “and placed the telephone back on the receiver and turned back, and the gun went off, striking Mr. Hutson in the left leg just below the knee.”

Hutson, 28, was taken from Studebaker’s restaurant to Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights where he was in fair condition after undergoing surgery late Wednesday, said Gail Hillery, nursing supervisor.

“The patient is not in a life-threatening situation,” she said.

The gun, a French-made, 9-millimeter semi-automatic pistol, was registered to Payton, who had the proper owner-identification and registration, Alley said. Police didn’t know why the gun was loaded, but Alley said it held eight rounds and had five left after the single shot was fired.

The weapon had been at the restaurant for several days, Alley said. He said Payton was taking the gun home.

The gun was an older model that Payton had bought recently, but Alley said he was uncertain whether it was an antique. Police planned to have the gun tested to see if it malfunctioned.