On July 7, 1991, American League umpire Steve Palermo is shot outside of the restaurant, Campisi’s Egyptian Restaurant in Dallas, Texas. Considered one of the best arbiters in the game, Palermo will make a recovery from serious injuries, but will not return to major league umpiring.

Palermo and another man were shot early this morning while trying to help two waitresses being robbed in a restaurant parking lot, the police said.

Palermo, an American League umpire since 1977, was in serious condition following surgery for a gunshot wound in his back, league spokeswoman Phyllis Merhige and hospital officials said.

His wound was not considered life-threatening, Merhige said.

The second person shot, Terence Mann, suffered a gunshot wound to the neck and was listed in good condition at a Dallas hospital. Mann played football for Southern Methodist University in the mid-1980’s and now works in a home for troubled children.

Shortly before 1 A.M., a bartender noticed four men robbing the women at gunpoint in the restaurant’s parking lot, the police said. Palermo, Mann and a restaurant employee rushed to help.

Three of the suspects drove off in a car, according to authorities. Palermo, Mann and the employee chased the fourth across a highway overpass, said Vicki Hawkins, a spokeswoman for the Dallas police.

While Palermo and the two others tried to apprehend the suspect — without any weapon of their own — the three who had fled in the car returned and one of them fired two shots, striking Palermo in the back and Mann in the neck, Hawkins said.

All four suspects were later caught after their car ran a red light in the suburb of Highland Park, said Hawkins, who added that they were suspected of committing a series of robberies Saturday night.

Kevin Bivens, 21, was charged with two counts of attempted murder and one count of robbery, she said. Gerry Fuller, 26, and Vernon Myers, 20, were charged with robbery. The fourth suspect, a juvenile, is in the custody of juvenile authorities.