LAWRENCE | A lone gunman walked into a restaurant in downtown Lawrence Thursday night, opened fire and killed a patron inside, police said.

Police Chief John Romero said the man fired ''numerous'' shots and fled.

''He just walked right in and started shooting,'' Romero said.

Romero said there were several people inside the La Bahia Restaurant at 15 Newbury St., between Common and Essex streets, when the shooting happened shortly before 9:30.

The victim was not immediately identified. Chief Romero said police were investigating whether the shooter was picked up by a local cabbie and dropped off in the vicinity of Salem Street.

For more on the shooting, pick up Friday's Eagle-Tribune.