SANDUSKY, Ohio — A verbal fight between a customer and an employee at the Golden Corral in Perkins Township near Sandusky led to customer fatally stabbing the employee Sunday night.
The Erie County Dispatch Center received 911 calls requesting an ambulance for a stabbing victim at the Golden Corral on Milan Road Sunday night, according to a news release from Perkins Township police. Police, fire crews and EMS were dispatched.
Witnesses at the scene told police that a customer and a Golden Corral employee exchanged words near closing time. The exchange turned into a verbal altercation. Witnesses said fellow employees gathered around and removed the employee from the area, taking him outside to the rear of the restaurant to calm him down.
The customer also left the restaurant, then approached the employee and stabbed him, the release states. The customer then left the area in a white SUV by turning south onto U.S. 250.
The victim, later identified as 32-year-old Cevin Stanley of Sandusky, managed to walk back into the restaurant before collapsing, police said. Employees called 911, and officers and EMS tried to resuscitate Stanley, but he died at the scene.
Police arrested Demetrius Hall, 28, and Tausha Patch, 33. Police said Hall will be charged with murder and Patch will be charged with complicity to murder.
Both Hall and Patch will be incarcerated.
The Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Identification was called to the scene to help process it. Perkins Township police are still investigating, and asked anyone with information to contact their department.
Puckett's Corral, LLC, a Golden Corral franchise, provided this statement regarding the stabbing:
"We are deeply saddened that a co-worker at our restaurant in Sandusky, Ohio, was killed Sunday night. We are very grateful to the Perkins Township Police Department for their quick response and are cooperating fully with their investigation. The restaurant is closed temporarily while we provide grief counseling and support at this time of need."
