A gunman killed one person and injured five others before committing suicide in a Florida fast food restaurant on Monday, a local TV report said.

Police told the WPBF TV 25 that the shooter, described by witnesses as a tall man who was wearing a business suit, a tie and a baseball cap, entered the bathroom of a Wendy's restaurant in West Palm Beach.

"He just came out of the bathroom, went behind the railing, and he had one victim unfortunately facing him, and he fired almost point-blank at the individual who is deceased in the restaurant," said Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office spokesman Paul Miller.

The shooter continued to fire in the restaurant "from left to right" with a 9-mm pistol, causing customers fleeing while screaming.

About 10 to 15 people were believed to be in the restaurant at the time of the shooting, Miller said.

According to police, the five injured victims have been sent to hospital, including three in critical situation, and the other two suffering from minority injury.

The Wendy's corporate office issued a statement after the tragedy, expressing the "deepest thoughts and prayers" to the victims and their families.

The company said that it was cooperating with police in investigating the cause of the shooting and had turned over the restaurant's security cameras.

(Xinhua News Agency March 4, 2008)