In a shocking incident at a deli in Rockaway Park, two workers turned violent on a customer ultimately leaving him hospitalized. It appears that the victim initially had a grievance with his food, which escalated into a violent altercation with the two workers.
Saber Abuhamra, 34, and Jorge Hernandez, 23, were arraigned on Monday charged with assault and strangulation after being accused of attacking the customer. Both Abuhamra and Hernandez may potentially spend seven years in jail if convicted.
The incident occurred around 5 am on Sunday and the Queens deli ended up being the location where these unfortunate events took place. A member of the deli’s staff, Hernandez, instigated the attack by delivering a punch to the victim’s head.
It has been reported that Hernandez then proceeded to put the man in a headlock, pinning him to the floor while Abuhamra struck him repeatedly in the head and stomach. It is believed that these violent attacks continued until the victim lost consciousness.
These two employees seemingly have no justification for their actions. The victim was transported to the nearest medical facility where it was discovered he had lost consciousness. His condition critically plummeted, and he was placed on life support.
It is an alarming reminder of how quickly situations can escalate and become extremely dangerous. All parties involved should have tried to resolve the situation in a peaceful manner.
Thus far, it has been said that the altercation initiated due to a complaint about the french fries not being crispy enough. It is being claimed by the employees that the customer proclaimed to have a firearm, but no such evidence has come forth.
Nevertheless, it is extremely disappointing that an argument about the quality of food escalated into a near-fatal incident.
Delis and food establishments should all have a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to any kind of violence. In reality, there is never a good enough reason to resort to this sort of behavior.
As members of society, we should be empowered to communicate in a way that is civil, even when we are faced with difficult situations. By doing so, we prevent situations from spiraling out of control just as we see in this case.
Let’s not forget that the two workers are also suffering because of their actions. The prospect of a seven-year jail sentence could result in the two men never seeing their friends and families again. Their actions have affected not just themselves, but their entire circle of people.
It would serve as a reminder to others who are considering violence as an option to really reconsider their actions.
Furthermore, the whole situation is a reminder that society needs to do more to address conflict resolution. With social media and news being consumed at such a high volume, it can be challenging to keep our emotions in check.
People need to have access to knowledge on how to de-escalate any kind of incident and connect with others in a way that is more humane. Rather than responding aggressively or violently, there should be more of an emphasis on understanding and empathy.
The media tends only to report the most gruesome and violent stories, but we should direct our attention to the heartening human stories happening around the world.
There are stories of hope and perseverance, where people have managed to overcome life’s obstacles without giving up. These stories inspire hope and show that there is a better path when it comes to resolving conflicts and differences.
Providing education on conflict resolution and anger management would go a long way in preventing incidents such as this. By having programs in place to inform and educate both the employees and customers, conflict resolution could become a priority rather than an afterthought.
When it comes to emergency medical care and response, the victim in this situation was fortunate enough to get the help he needed right away, where the hospital staff was able to save his life. Healthcare professionals truly are heroes, and their role should not be taken for granted.
Overall, it is up to us, as members of society, to strive towards creating a more just and peaceful world without violence.
We should strive to educate ourselves on how to resolve conflicts peacefully, and equally important, to listen more intently to others when they communicate their concerns. If we can all make the effort to practice empathy and truly listen to others, we can reduce the anger, violence and harmful behavior that plague the world today.
While this situation was bleak and certainly not something anyone would hope to encounter, it is important to look at both sides and learn from it. Hopefully, this incident will serve as a lesson to everyone that violence is never an acceptable solution.
No matter what the circumstances may be, we should always try to communicate effectively and use peaceful means to resolve any issues.
It is understandable that emotions can sometimes get the best of us, but it is a powerful tool when we learn to control our emotions and communicate effectively. By resolving conflicts in this manner, we ultimately make society a safer place for everyone.
Moving forward means taking responsibility for our actions and realizing that violence is never the answer. We need to strive to create a society where everyone can feel safe and included, no matter how diverse their views or backgrounds may be.
It is only with empathy and understanding that we can hope to build a better future together.
We can together and truly make a difference by practicing empathy, compassion, and understanding in every situation.
Only then can we all hope to create a society that is truly fair, just, and peaceful. Let’s remember the lessons of this unfortunate incident and do our part in creating a world free of violence and hatred.