On August 19, 2024, in the bustling streets of New York City, an altercation turned violent at Roma Pizza, a pizzeria located in Manhattan, leaving its night manager, Zakaria El Sherief, in critical condition. The incident, which involved both a customer and his pit bull, sent shockwaves through the community and raised concerns about the safety of hospitality workers.
According to police reports, the attack began just before 10 p.m. when Tyshaun Watson, a 35-year-old man, entered the pizzeria with his unleashed pit bull. El Sherief, upholding health department regulations, informed Watson that dogs were not allowed inside the restaurant. However, Watson refused to comply, igniting a confrontation that soon spiraled out of control.
Witnesses and co-workers recounted to The New York Post and CBS News New York that El Sherief’s request angered Watson. The day manager, who was not named, recalled the tense exchange: "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."
As the situation escalated, Watson’s refusal to leave the establishment led him to take extreme measures. Police reported that Watson went behind the counter and began attacking El Sherief, repeatedly punching him. The assault became even more brutal when Watson choked El Sherief and the unleashed pit bull joined in, biting the victim. The day manager vividly described the horrifying scene: "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."
By the time first responders arrived, El Sherief was unconscious. He was immediately transported to Bellevue Hospital, where doctors placed him in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). As of a week after the attack, he remained in a coma, with critical brain injuries and paralysis on the left side of his body.
The neighborhood, known for its relatively calm and safe atmosphere, was shocked by the violence. Long-time resident Stephen Sonkin commented on the rarity of such incidents, particularly on Fifth Avenue: "I feel like when I'm walking down here, everyone is very civilized and never really see a lot of pit bulls walking around."
The aftermath of the attack has left the pizzeria’s employees shaken and fearful. Rodrigo, a co-worker at Roma Pizza, expressed his concern over the incident, noting that it was captured on surveillance cameras. “Not safe,” he said when asked about how the workers felt in the days following the assault. The incident has clearly left a lasting impact, with employees questioning their safety in what is usually considered a friendly environment.
Watson was arrested and has been charged with attempted murder and assault with intent to cause serious injury. He has since expressed remorse for his actions, but employees at the pizzeria remain unconvinced by his apology. One employee remarked, “Nobody cares. Nobody listens,” referring to a sign in the store that had previously warned customers that dogs were not permitted. Strangely, the sign has since been removed, though no one seems to know who took it down.
In the wake of the attack, a GoFundMe campaign has been launched to support El Sherief’s mounting medical expenses. The fundraiser paints a picture of El Sherief as a kind and generous individual, a man deeply committed to his family. The description reads, "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." As of the latest updates, the campaign had raised $9,000 of its $50,000 goal.
Unfortunately, the attack on El Sherief was not an isolated incident during that week. Elsewhere, in Chicago, two workers at Lola’s Coney Island hot dog stand were victims of a violent attack on August 31. Police reported that a male suspect approached the stand and demanded cash from the workers. When the employees, a male and a female, refused to comply, a physical fight broke out. The suspect then grabbed a knife and proceeded to stab both employees before fleeing on foot. While both victims suffered lacerations, they refused medical treatment. The incident remains under investigation.
In another case of violence against workers, a man in Austin, Texas, attacked an employee at an apartment complex on South Pleasant Valley Road on August 26. The situation escalated quickly, with the assailant, identified as Adrian Lopez, using pepper spray against the employee. In self-defense, the employee drew a firearm and fatally shot Lopez. Police found Lopez with a gunshot wound when they arrived on the scene, and he was pronounced dead shortly after. The case is still under investigation as authorities continue to piece together the events leading up to the fatal encounter.
These attacks highlight a growing concern for the safety of individuals working in customer-facing roles. Whether in the hospitality sector or other industries, employees are increasingly vulnerable to random and often violent confrontations. The cases of Zakaria El Sherief, the workers at Lola’s Coney Island, and the employee in Austin all underscore the urgent need for better protections and resources to ensure the safety of workers across the country.
