Midtown coffee shop worker slashed in the neck requires 19 stitches for treatment, according to the district attorney.
In a disturbing incident in Midtown Manhattan, a coffee shop dishwasher was seriously injured in a violent altercation over access to a bathroom. The attack occurred on Wednesday outside Moka & Co., a popular organic Yemeni coffee establishment located on West 34th Street near Seventh Avenue. The victim, a 50-year-old man, sustained significant injuries, including deep lacerations to his neck that required 19 stitches and resulted in extensive blood loss. Prosecutors revealed these details during an arraignment for the suspect, 32-year-old Wagner Louis, who has been held without bail.
The altercation unfolded when Louis attempted to use the bathroom, only to be informed by the dishwasher that it was already occupied. Eyewitnesses reported that this minor inconvenience escalated into a heated confrontation. Following his eviction from the coffee shop, Louis allegedly exited the establishment, leading to the violent act during which he produced a knife and slashed the worker’s neck at around 3 p.m.
In the aftermath, the injured dishwasher suffered severe injuries, with two deep gashes observed on the right side of his neck. Emergency medical services swiftly transported him to Bellevue Hospital, where he remained in critical condition for several hours before finally stabilizing.
Louis, who fled the scene in a white Honda Civic, was apprehended shortly thereafter by law enforcement officers after a brief pursuit. He now faces multiple charges, including attempted murder, assault, and weapons possession. Notably, Louis has a history of criminal activity, with three prior felony convictions for drug-related offenses. He is currently awaiting trial on a separate attempted murder charge stemming from an incident in Brooklyn where he allegedly shot a man at close range in 2023.
As the case unfolds, his attorney, Dean Vigliano, indicated that he is conducting a thorough investigation but refrained from making further comments at this time. The incident not only highlights the tragic consequences of public violence but also raises questions about the safety of service industry workers in urban environments. The community and local law enforcement continue to grapple with the implications of such senseless attacks as they seek justice for the injured worker.
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