Two bakery owners in New Jersey were fortunate to escape serious injury after an irate customer reportedly attacked them with a knife. The incident stemmed from a grievance over a sandwich reportedly served incorrectly four years prior.
Abedo Assad and his brother Mohammad, who run Patterson’s Varadona Bakery, said the confrontation escalated when the suspect entered the shop on Thursday morning, insisting he was looking for an egg sandwich, although he had previously ordered one.
During the heated exchange, the situation turned violent, leading to the suspect stabbing Mohammad in the chest. He also allegedly injured Abedo when he attempted to step in.
The assailant, whose identity remains unknown, quickly fled the scene following the attack around 8 a.m., according to the bakery owner.
Both brothers were swiftly transported to St. Joseph’s University Hospital for medical attention.
Abedo recounted, “I heard him scream, so I went outside to find him. I held his arm, and it was bleeding.” He noted that everyone was shocked by the incident, remarking on how kind the brothers are.
A friend of the victims, Moneer Simrin, reported that the assailant claimed to have an allergy to eggplants and fell ill after consuming one. “They offered him money and credits for whatever he wanted, but he started acting aggressively,” Shimlin recounted. “When they suggested he leave the store, he pulled a knife and attacked them.”
Meanwhile, Patterson Mayor Andre Sayag addressed residents and business owners in the Main Street area on Friday. The bakery was closed as the brothers recuperated from the attack.
“There’s a sense of worry. This sort of thing doesn’t typically happen here, so I tried to calm their fears and assured them that the police are taking this violent incident seriously,” he stated.
Law enforcement has yet to provide a description of the suspect involved.
