In a shocking and violent incident that unfolded at a Manhattan pizzeria, the night manager of Roma Pizza, located on Fifth Avenue in Chelsea, is currently in critical condition following a brutal attack by a customer and his unleashed pit bull. The incident occurred just before 10 PM last night, both inside and outside the restaurant, which is situated between 19th and 20th Streets.
The Incident Unfolds
The altercation began when 35-year-old Tyshon Watson entered Roma Pizza with his pit bull, which was not on a leash. The night manager, identified as 47-year-old Zak El Sharif, instructed Watson that he needed to eat outside due to the dog not being leashed. This simple request quickly escalated into a violent confrontation. According to eyewitnesses and police reports, Watson became aggressive, leading to a physical altercation between the two men.
Watson allegedly punched El Sharif repeatedly in the head, knocking him to the ground. The situation took a horrific turn when Watson’s pit bull began attacking El Sharif, biting him on his arm and leg. The attack was so severe that El Sharif, who is now in the ICU, cannot speak and is fighting for his life.
A Vicious Assault Continues
As the attack progressed, a kitchen worker attempted to intervene in an effort to stop the dog from mauling El Sharif. However, the pit bull then turned on the worker, further intensifying the chaotic scene. The violence didn’t end there. The struggle between Watson and El Sharif spilled outside onto the sidewalk, where witnesses reported that Watson continued his assault on the injured manager. A worker at the pizzeria, who chose to remain anonymous, recounted the horrifying moment when Watson stomped on El Sharif’s head three times while he was lying on the ground, bleeding profusely.
The worker expressed disbelief and concern over the incident, stating, “The guy even stomped his head after Zak was on the floor bleeding. He stomped him three times in the head. Imagine this. This could have been anybody else, a kid, maybe. You know, dogs being unleashed in the city—I think it’s not correct.” The worker emphasized that they were simply doing their jobs and trying to make a living, not seeking trouble.
The Aftermath and Arrest
Following the brutal assault, Watson re-entered the pizzeria with his dog still by his side. The quick-thinking employees, fearing further violence, ran to the kitchen and locked the door behind them. They then maneuvered through the basement, emerging on the ground level, where they managed to lock the front door of the pizzeria from the outside, effectively trapping Watson and his dog inside.
Moments later, police arrived at the scene and arrested Watson inside the pizzeria. As he was being led out of the precinct, his left arm was visibly bleeding and wrapped in gauze—reportedly the result of his own dog biting him during the fracas. Despite the severity of the attack, Watson expressed a message to his victim, saying, “My heart goes out to him.”
Charges and Investigation
Watson has been charged with attempted murder and assault in connection with the attack. The incident has left the community and those who work at Roma Pizza deeply shaken. Detectives have been investigating the scene, piecing together the events that led to the violent confrontation. One particularly disturbing detail that emerged was that Watson was overheard telling his dog that it would not be fed because it failed to follow his orders during the attack.
El Sharif remains in critical condition in the ICU, with friends and coworkers anxiously waiting for updates on his recovery. The assault has raised serious concerns about public safety, particularly regarding the responsibilities of dog owners and the dangers posed by unleashed pets in urban environments.
The case has garnered significant attention due to its violent nature and the unusual circumstances surrounding the attack. More details are expected to emerge as the investigation continues, but for now, the focus remains on the recovery of Zak El Sharif and the legal proceedings that Tyshon Watson will face in the aftermath of this brutal assault.
