Midtown Café Worker Nearly Killed in Broad Daylight Slashing, Prosecutors Say

MIDTOWN, NY — Brooklynite Wagner Louis, 33, was indicted Friday on accusations of slashing a man's neck in a Midtown café, leading to two blood transfusions and more than 19 stitches for the victim, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said.

Bragg said Louis entered a coffee shop at West 34th Street and Seventh Avenue called Moka & Co. around 3 p.m. on Aug. 20 and became agitated when he found the bathroom occupied.

While waiting, he antagonized a 50-year-old employee and tried to enter the back kitchen to urinate in the sink, Bragg alleged.

After using the bathroom, the employee escorted Louis outside, where Louis then pushed and spat on the worker before taking out a sharp object and slashing the employee in the neck, Bragg said.

The victim lost consciousness and was taken to NYC Health and Hospitals/Bellevue, where he underwent two blood transfusions and received more than 19 stitches for a wound on the right side of his neck, Bragg said.

"A café employee was going about his workday when Wagner Louis entered the Midtown establishment and allegedly slashed the worker, almost killing him," said Bragg.

Louis fled in a nearby car but was arrested about five minutes later, four blocks from the café, Bragg said.

"This broad daylight attack is horrifying, and I hope the victim continues to heal from this assault," Bragg said. "We do not tolerate threats to the safety of workers in Manhattan and will prosecute those who cause hard-working New Yorkers harm."

Louis is charged with one count of attempted murder in the second degree and two counts of first-degree assault, Bragg said.

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