Tobias Dorzon, a celebrated Maryland-based chef and former NFL player, is recovering from a shooting incident that resulted in him and his girlfriend being hospitalized. Dorzon, who has appeared on the Food Network and is known for his culinary services to celebrities and athletes, was attacked on November 5. The entire incident was caught on camera.
Dorzon, who played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Tennessee Titans, expressed his gratitude for his recovery progress on the Instagram accounts of his two Hyattsville restaurants, Huncho House and 1123 By Chef Tobias. The attack occurred as Dorzon and his girlfriend were returning home from dinner.
According to the Hyattsville Police Department, the couple was ambushed by five armed individuals. Surveillance footage, which was initially obtained by TMZ and Fox affiliate WTTG, shows the assailants approaching Dorzon and his girlfriend around 10:15 p.m. in the 2500 block of Kirkwood Place in Hyattsville, a suburb of Washington, D.C.
The area’s surveillance cameras recorded the alleged attackers arriving and leaving in a white SUV with a sunroof. The suspects, clad in jackets and hoods, were armed with semiautomatic handguns, and one was reportedly carrying a short rifle. Hyattsville Police Department Chief Jarod J. Towers referred to the incident as “barbarous activity and conduct by violent criminals.”
Prince George’s County Councilmember Wanika Fisher, who represents the district where the shooting took place, expressed her desire for justice. She described Dorzon as a valued member of the District 2 community and a dear friend, and extended her deepest sympathies to him, the second victim, and their families and friends.
Following the incident, Dorzon updated his followers on his condition and future plans through his personal Instagram account and his restaurant pages. He assured his followers that his team remains strong and his restaurants continue to serve their customers. Dorzon, who was named the 2024 Chef of the Year by the Restaurant Association of Maryland, is a beloved figure in the local DMV area, popular among both food enthusiasts and celebrities.
As of Sunday, the Hyattsville police were still searching for the alleged shooters.