A man was shot while eating in a popular Chinese restaurant in Wallkill Wednesday night.

Charles Miller, 48, of Walden, was shot in the abdomen at You You Asian Cuisine on Route 211 around 9:15 p.m., according to Miller’s wife Marlelenea.

She says he was having dinner with his family when he stepped outside to have a cigarette. She says he was approached by a total stranger who asked how he was doing and then shot him point-blank. She says the bullet hit his stomach, large intestine and small intestine before exiting his back on the right side.

The victim's wife says their children and grandchildren – including their 5-year-old granddaughter - witnessed the ordeal.

Miller underwent emergency surgery overnight and remains in critical condition.

Police are searching for 27-year-old Hector Luna in connection to the incident. They say he is considered armed and dangerous, and that he may be driving an Acura sedan.

So far, it's not clear what prompted the shooting but police say Luna may have mistaken Miller for a police officer.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help cover the victim’s medical expenses.