Knife-wielding man stabs restaurant manager, then officer shoots him, Oklahoma cops say
A restaurant manager was stabbed when he attempted to calm a man causing a disturbance in front of his restaurant, Oklahoma police said.
The manager of BJ’s Brewhouse in Tulsa yelled as 32-year-old Cody Hovorka stabbed him in the hand on Jan. 9, which alerted staff and patrons to run to the back of the restaurant, police said in a Facebook post.
Hovorka chased patrons and staff around the restaurant before leaving, police said. Those inside worked to barricade the door as he tried to get back in and break in through the window, officers said.
With his knife in hand, the man left the restaurant and walked toward hotels near the restaurant, according to police. When he wasn’t able to get inside, he headed toward Woodland Hills Mall, police said.
Officers followed Hovorka from the restaurant to the mall and tased him to keep him from the mall, police said. One officer shot the man, who was then taken into custody, according to police.
Both the restaurant manager and the suspect were taken to the hospital, and police said they are expected to recover from their injuries.
Hovorka, who had previously been convicted of a felony, was charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and resisting arrest, police said.
This story was originally published January 10, 2025 at 11:17 AM with the headline "Knife-wielding man stabs restaurant manager, then officer shoots him, Oklahoma cops say."
