Secaucus Resident Charged With Attempted Murder In NYC Pizza Attack

SECAUCUS, NJ — A Secaucus resident is charged with attempted murder after the Manhattan District Attorney says he beat the manager of a Manhattan pizza shop, and had his pit bull attack him.

The man is Tyshaun Watson, 35, a resident of Secaucus. He was indicted Monday of this week in Manhattan Supreme Court one one charge of second-degree attempted murder, two counts of first-degree assault and two counts of second-degree assault, according to this press release from Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg Jr.

Due to the seriousness of the charges, Watson is currently being held in prison in New York City as the case proceeds (likely Rikers Island), said a spokeswoman for the Manhattan DA on Wednesday.

The incident unfolded at 9:45 p.m. August 19: Watson entered Roma Pizza, located at 146 5th Avenue, with his dog, which media reported is a pit bull. He ordered pizza at the counter and sat in the back dining area to eat.

The manager, a 47-year-old man, told Watson twice that his dog was not allowed in the restaurant. Watson then walked up to the front counter and began arguing with the manager, who put his pizza in a to-go box, said the Manhattan DA.

Watson became irate and walked behind the counter, punched the manager’s head and tackled him to the ground and continued to strike him, while his dog bit him, said the DA.

Another store employee attempted to get Watson off the manager, but Watson took a swing at the employee, said the DA. The manager was able to pull himself up, run out of the pizzeria and attempt to close the door on Watson.

But Watson pushed the door open, placed the manager in a chokehold, threw him to the ground and continued to punch him in the face as his dog bit him.

Watson kicked the victim in the face as he appeared unresponsive on the ground. Watson also punched him in the stomach and stomped on his face two more times against the concrete sidewalk, said the DA.

Watson then walked back into the pizza shop and sat in the dining area with his dog until police officers arrived and arrested him on scene.

The New York Post has photos of both Watson and the pizzeria manager. They also report that Watson is a member of the U.S. National Guard. They report he works in the hospitality industry.

The manager of Roma Pizza was taken to Bellevue Hospital where he was treated for significant bruising and swelling to his face, bleeding in his brain, facial fractures and multiple dog bite wounds. He was in critical condition for two weeks, where he was intubated and in a medically induced coma.

“As alleged, Tyshaun Watson brutally attacked a pizzeria manager, almost killing him," said District Attorney Bragg. "My office will continue to hold those accountable who use violence against Manhattan workers. I hope the victim heals from this egregious attack.”

Defendant Information:
TYSHAUN WATSON
Secaucus, NJ
Charged:

• Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, a class B felony, one count
• Assault in the First Degree, a class B felony, two counts
• Assault in the Second Degree, a class D felony, two counts