An argument between two coworkers at a smoothie stand in a southwest Atlanta mall turned violent Monday when one man allegedly stabbed the other in the food court multiple times, Channel 2 Action News reported.
The fight was recorded by Christian Johnson as he stood in line to buy a drink at the Paradise Smoothie Juice Bar inside Greenbriar Mall.
He told the news station the men yelled at each other across the counter in front of customers and seemed to be arguing over a girl. Cellphone video appears to show Brandon Merriday run behind the counter and punch his coworker several times while yelling, “I’m gonna kill you.”
The other man then grabbed a knife that he normally cuts fruit with and stabbed Merriday several times, Channel 2 reported.
Credit: Channel 2 Action News
Credit: Channel 2 Action News
“I think he was just scared so he grabbed a knife because he couldn’t beat him,” Johnson told the station. “That man probably would have bled to death if paramedics didn’t show up when they did.”
Customers standing in line tried to break up the fight at first, but they scattered as soon as the stabbing began, Johnson said.
Merriday was arrested and charged with battery after being treated for his stab wounds at a nearby hospital, according to Channel 2.
Brandon Merriday couldn’t believe police arrested him - after a coworker stabbed him several times. We have the video that shows exactly what led up to the stabbing in the middle of a food court at a local mall. You’ll only see this on Ch2, 5 & 6pm today pic.twitter.com/O9z6JamujX
— Tyisha Fernandes (@TyishaWSB) June 20, 2019
He was released Thursday after posting a $2,000 bond, Fulton County Jail records show.
The other employee, who was also treated at a local hospital, was not arrested.
Both men are banned from the mall, Channel 2 reported.
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