Springfield Police give details on El Ximador shooting, suspect charged with felony

SPRINGFIELD, Ga. (WTOC) - [UPDATE 6:04 p.m. 9/22/25] We learned more about what led up to man trying to bring a gun inside of a Springfield restaurant and damaging vehicles in the process.

Police say 39-year-old Gerardo Figueroa Santos is now facing eight charges including terroristic threats and acts.

Police say this all started as an argument inside of the restaurant.

They say Santos went outside to get a gun and tried to come back in. After he wasn’t allowed back in the building, he slashed tires on cars outside and shot the gun into the road.

They say they found a 9mm handgun, a box cutter, and a spent shell casing.

Some of those other charges include criminal damage to property, public drunkenness and willfulness obstruction of law enforcement officers.

Chief of Police James Woodcock says something like this is rare there.

“Continue to go there, this is not a regular occurrence in Springfield. We have shootings very rare here and as you can see our response time is very quick, we’ll be on top of it as soon as we can. So, my biggest thing is don’t change your habits, don’t live in fear. You’re in a good community here,” said Chief Woodstock.

Chief Woodcock says it was important for them to respond quickly to make sure the situation didn’t escalate.

[UPDATE 12:03 p.m. 9/22/25] The Springfield Police Department has shared additional details about the shots fired call near El Ximador in Springfield on September 20, 2025.

Officials say at approximately 10:30 p.m. SPD officers responded to a report of shots fired and public disturbance at El Ximador.

The SPD says officers arrived within three minutes of the initial 911 call, and the suspected offender, later identified as Gerardo Figueroa Santos (39) of Guyton, was located in a vehicle attempting to flee the area.

Officers were able to detain the suspect after a brief struggle and he was arrested without injury to officers or bystanders.

Police say that security footage from El Ximador showed the suspect exiting the building, retrieving a handgun, and attempting to re-enter while armed.

After being unable to gain entry, the Springfield Police Department says Santos vandalized two vehicles in the parking lot before firing a shot in the direction of Laurel Street.

A 9mm handgun, a box cutter, and a spent shell casing were recovered as evidence, officials say.

The SPD says there is no ongoing threat and the situation has been resolved with no injuries reported.

Santos is being charged with the following:

• Terroristic threats and acts (felony)
• Criminal damage to property in the first degree
• Discharging a firearm while under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Reckless conduct
• Public drunkenness
• DUI - Alcohol
• Willful obstruction of law enforcement officers
• Criminal damage to property in the first degree

The case is still under investigation and additional charges are pending.

[ORIGINAL STORY] Shots were fired at a restaurant in Effingham County Saturday night.

The Effingham County Sheriff’s Office says a suspect opened fire at El Ximador in Springfield. No injuries were reported.

Social media comments from employees of El Ximador say they locked themselves in a back room while the shooter fired rounds.

No word on how many shots were fired.

Officials say the suspect was taken into custody.

The shooter’s identity has not been released yet.