A 67-year-old employee of the International House of Pancakes (IHOP) in Brooklyn was fatally stabbed late Friday night, according to the New York Police Department (NYPD). The incident, which occurred just before the restaurant’s closing time, also resulted in a 41-year-old man sustaining a hand injury.
The victim, identified as Hector Reinoso-Perez, was attacked in the torso inside the East New York IHOP shortly before 11:40 p.m. The restaurant was nearing its closing time when the incident took place. Reinoso-Perez, a resident of Brooklyn, was rushed to Brookdale University Hospital Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead.
In the same incident, an unidentified 41-year-old man was also injured. The man, who was slashed in the hand during the assailant’s violent spree, declined medical treatment at the scene.
According to sources cited by ABC 7, the attacker followed Reinoso-Perez, who worked as a cleaner, into the bathroom where he was fatally stabbed. The assailant remains at large, and no suspects have been apprehended as of yet.
The NYPD continues to investigate the incident. The motive behind the attack remains unclear, and authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward.
The tragic incident underscores the need for increased security measures in late-night establishments, particularly in areas with high crime rates. As the investigation continues, the community mourns the loss of Reinoso-Perez, a hardworking member of the community.