Attacks on Restaurant Workers from Customers and Co-workers Continue

Plano, TX (WorkersCompensation.com) - Two men were arrested last week for attacking a Hooters manager with a pipe, as incidents of violent attacks against restaurant workers continue across the country. 

Officials said police arrested Jeremiah Powell, 19, and Tony Marshall, 20, of Fort Worth, for their part in an attack on Waldo Montano, 27 in October. 

Montano said the incident started when he escorted at least four kids out of the Hooters he was managing for selling candy without permission. As they were being led out, the young kids began throwing things around the restaurant. Montano said the kids have been in the restaurant before, and were asked to leave and not bother customers. 

Montano and Plano Police Department officers said when the kids were outside of the restaurant, Montano was approached by three adults who argued with him and a customer who was helping him. It was then that the adults attacked Montano. 

Montano said he was hit in the head and arm with a pipe. 

"It all escalated so quickly, it was out of my control," Montano said. "I didn't think kicking these kids out would end up with me getting hit in the head with a steel bar or getting beaten up." 

One of the attackers allegedly picked up a cigarette butt disposal stand and threw it through a window in the restaurant, injuring employees inside. 

Montano suffered a fractured arm and was taken to the hospital, along with the customer who was trying to help. A waitress in the restaurant was taken to the hospital with cuts on her arms. 

Powell was charged with assault with bodily injury and riot participation, and Marshall was charged with assault with bodily injury, two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and robbery. Police issued a warrant for a third suspect, 19-year-old Jay Powell. 

Montano said he hopes they will be held accountable. 

"Hitting me in the head with a pipe is no joke, hitting anyone with a pipe isn't a joke," Montano said. "I saw the story and their mugshots and definitely recognized them, nobody should be treated like I was." 

Plano Police Department officials said the group may have been doing the same thing at other restaurants. Armed security is now stationed at the restaurant daily, officials said. 

In Brooklyn, two men are dead after a gunman shot into a Brooklyn West Indian restaurant in broad daylight on Oct. 27. 

Authorities said a gunman dressed all in black seemed to be waiting for the victims as they arrived to do renovation work at Miguel's West Indian Restaurant in Brownsville. Once they entered the building, the shooter followed them into the restaurant and opened fire. 

Damien White, 45, died Sunday at Kings County Hospital on Oct. 30. His co-worker, Eyon Johnson, 46, died Oct. 31 at Brookdale University Hospital. 

The gunman shot both victims several times, but police said it's not yet clear why they were targeted. 

In Atlanta, the owners of a Kentucky Fried Chicken are reeling after one of its employees, a 61-year-old worker, was shot outside of the restaurant. 

Police said two men had an argument outside of the restaurant on Oct. 26. When the argument escalated into gunfire, the worker was hit by a stray bullet, police said. The worker was on a break, officials said. 

“Now he’s fighting for his life and I’m just sorry to hear that,” Savir Grant, an employee at a nearby barbershop that was damaged in the shootout told WSBTV. 

The victim was in critical but stable condition on Monday, police said, but his name has not yet been released. 

Also on Oct. 26, a shooting at a Washington, D.C. Buffalo Wild Wings left one worker injured, police said, at the hands of another worker. 

Officers with the Metropolitan Police Department said they responded to a call at the restaurant and found an unidentified victim who had been shot. Officers arrested Craig Jermaine Peacock, 31 at the scene. 

According to the police report, Peacock and the victim were arguing prior to the shooting. At one point, witness told officers, Peacock left and stood outside of a window at the front of the restaurant. Shortly thereafter, Peacock drew a weapon and fired into the restaurant, hitting the other employee and shattering the window. 

The victim suffered a grazing wound. Peacock was charged with assault with intent to kill and carrying a pistol without a license. 

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