ALBUQUERQUE, NM – A violent incident at a local restaurant has left an 8-year-old girl hospitalized after a brutal assault by a man wielding a broken beer bottle. The event has shocked the community and led to a grand jury indictment against the accused, Nichalas San Souci.
Nichalas San Souci, 24, faces serious charges following the April 25 incident at Saggios restaurant in Albuquerque, where authorities allege he attacked the young girl for being “in his way.” San Souci has been charged with child abuse resulting in great bodily harm, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
The Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office reports that the tragic event unfolded as the girl was admiring a waterfall inside the restaurant. In an unprovoked attack, San Souci allegedly struck her on the head with a beer bottle before using the broken glass to slice her neck. The assault left the young victim requiring 19 stitches.
Britton Rose, the girl’s father, recounted the harrowing details of the attack. He recalled that his daughter was taking in the restaurant’s décor when he heard his wife scream from across the room. Rushing to his daughter, Rose found her drenched and shaken, having been blindsided by the assault.
The incident took place in a bustling environment, with the restaurant crowded at the time. As his family explored the interior decorations, chaos erupted when San Souci allegedly launched the vicious attack, only to then produce a knife, escalating the threat.
Rose described his desperation to shield his daughter from further harm as San Souci allegedly made another attempt against the young girl. The rapid progression of violence left many at the scene in shock and disbelief.
The district attorney has emphasized the severity of the charges against San Souci, highlighting the potential for a significant prison sentence if convicted. The nature of the crime, particularly involving a child, could result in a mandatory sentence of up to 18 years for the child abuse charge alone.
Currently, San Souci is held in the Bernalillo County Jail without bond as the legal proceedings continue. The community remains in a state of unease, grappling with the senselessness of the attack and hoping for justice for the young victim.