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New York, NY (WorkersCompensation.com) – Police said a pizzeria manager is still in a coma after being attacked by a customer and his dog, one of several attacks on hospitality workers this week.
Police said on August 19, Zakaria El Sherief, the night manager for Roma Pizza, was attacked by a pit bull and its owner. Co-workers told The New York Post El Sherief was still in the hospital and still in a coma a week after the attack.
Employees of the Manhattan pizzeria said the incident started when a customer walked into the store with an unleashed pit bull just before 10 p.m. that night. El Sherief told a customer his dog was not allowed in the restaurant.
"The guy (El Sherief) told him you're not allowed to have dogs here because of the health department. Then the guy just got mad because of that. He didn't listen. He kept sitting down," the day manager told CBS News New York.
Police said things escalated after the dog’s owner, Tyshaun Watson, 35, refused to leave.
"He went behind the counter, and he just started punching him, punching him, punching him. Then the guy fell on the floor. He got on top of him, choking him, then the dog started, when he went on the floor, the dog started going. So it's him and the dog," the day manager said.
When first responders arrived, the employee was unconscious. El Sherief was taken to Bellevue Hospital in critical condition, police said.
"They're really nice guys that work there," neighbor Stephen Sonkin said. "I mean, we're on Fifth Avenue here, right? So I feel like when I'm walking down here, everyone is very civilized and never really see a lot of pit bulls walking around."
Watson is now charged with attempted murder and assault. As for the dog, it's with the city's Animal Care and Control.
An employee who identified himself as Rodrigo to the Post said the assault, which was caught on surveillance video, left workers scared.
“Not safe,” he said when asked how he felt after the incident.
When he was arrested, Watson said he was sorry.
Employees at the pizzeria said they don’t accept Watson’s apology. A sign warning customers that dogs are not allowed in the store has since been taken down, Rodrigo said, although no one is sure by whom.
“Nobody cares. Nobody listens. We have a sign over here — they took it off,” he said with disgust.
Watson was charged with attempted murder and assault with attempt to cause disfigurement or dismemberment, police said. El Sherief remains hospitalized.
“Sadly, since August 19, 2024 Zach has been in the hospital in ICU under critical condition with brain bleeding and is unable to move the left side of his body,” according to a GoFundMe started for El Sherief to help pay his medical bills. As of Sunday night, the fundraiser has brought in $9,000 of its $50,000 goal.
“Zach is a selfless, hard-working man who will give you the shirt off his back, he is a loving, caring and providing father and husband,” the online call for help says.
On August 31, police in Chicago said two workers at Lola’s Coney Island hot dog stand on West Chicago Ave., were stabbed when a male suspect approached the stand and demanded cash.
When the employees refused, a fight broke out between the employees, one male and one female, and the suspect. The suspect then grabbed a knife and attacked the employees. Police said the suspect stabbed the employees, before taking off on foot.
Both of the victims had lacerations, but refused medical attention, police said. The incident is still under investigation.
In Austin, a man attacked an apartment complex employee and sprayed him with pepper spray.
Police said they were called to an apartment complex on South Pleasant Valley Road on August 26. Police said when they arrived at the Waterloo Flats complex, an employee of the complex said he had been attacked.
Officers found Adrian Lopez, 39, on the property with an apparent gunshot wound. Lopez was later pronounced dead at the scene.
Witnesses told investigators that Lopez had randomly begun assaulting the complex employee and threatening him with pepper spray. Officers said the employee pulled out a gun and shot Lopez to protect himself.
The case remains under investigation, officials said.
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About The Author
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Liz Carey
Liz Carey has worked as a writer, reporter and editor for nearly 25 years. First, as an investigative reporter for Gannett and later as the Vice President of a local Chamber of Commerce, Carey has covered everything from local government to the statehouse to the aerospace industry. Her work as a reporter, as well as her work in the community, have led her to become an advocate for the working poor, as well as the small business owner.
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