BELLEVUE, Wash. — A disturbing incident unfolded at an Applebee’s restaurant when a 48-year-old dishwasher was charged with assaulting his manager with a hammer. The confrontation, described as both senseless and shocking, occurred late at night on August 31, after the restaurant had closed its doors for the evening. Court documents reveal that Marco Antonio Herrera-Chan entered his manager’s office and, before launching the attack, reportedly uttered “I’m sorry,” leading to a chaotic struggle between the two men.
Herrera-Chan faces first-degree assault charges and is currently held on a $100,000 bail. According to police reports, the dishwasher had been wrapping up his closing duties when the violence erupted. Initially striking his supervisor in the head with the hammer’s handle, Herrera-Chan prompted a desperate struggle. The manager, though disoriented from the initial blow, managed to fend off a second swing, leading to an eight-minute altercation that resulted in the manager grabbing a pair of scissors in self-defense.
During the fight, the manager sustained multiple injuries while Herrera-Chan was also hurt. He was ultimately subdued when the victim managed to lock himself in his office and contact law enforcement. Responding officers located Herrera-Chan in a nearby wooded area shortly thereafter. Both individuals were taken to Overlake Medical Center for treatment, with officers noting extensive bloodshed throughout the restaurant.
In conversations with authorities, the manager expressed his belief that Herrera-Chan intended to harm him and possibly steal money from the establishment. He recounted hearing his attacker say, “this is for my mother,” during the scuffle, leaving him perplexed about the motive behind the brutal assault, as their eight-month working relationship had been devoid of prior disputes.
For his part, Herrera-Chan claimed he could not explain his actions, indicating a mental lapse during the incident. He admitted to hitting his supervisor but insisted he never aimed to kill him, suggesting he would have used more lethal means if that were his intention.
Surveillance footage from the restaurant captured the chaotic scene, providing crucial evidence. The video showed Herrera-Chan retrieving the hammer from his backpack moments before the attack, reinforcing officials’ accounts of the violent conflict, which both men estimated lasted between 15 to 20 minutes.
The case has raised questions about workplace violence and employee relations, underscoring the need for businesses to address potential conflicts before they escalate. As the community grapples with the aftermath of this incident, Herrera-Chan is scheduled to appear in court to enter a plea on September 9.