NJ man charged with attempted murder after allegedly beating Flatiron pizzeria manager, allowing pit bull to attack

NEW YORK (1010 WINS) – A New Jersey man was indicted on Monday after a worker was critically injured by the suspect and his pit bull during an argument at a Flatiron District pizzeria last month, prosecutors announced.

Tyshaun Watson, 35, from New Jersey, was charged with attempted murder and assault for the “brutal” attack on the 47-year-old pizzeria manager.

“As alleged, Tyshaun Watson brutally attacked a pizzeria manager, almost killing him,” Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said. “No employee should have their life threatened while working and serving their community.”

According to court documents, on Aug. 19, around 9:45 p.m., Watson entered Roma Pizza with his dog, ordered pizza, and sat in the back dining area. The manager allegedly informed Watson twice that his dog was not allowed in the restaurant.

Watson then approached the front counter and began arguing with the manager, who boxed his pizza to go. Watson allegedly became irate, walked behind the counter, punched the manager in the head, tackled him to the ground, and continued striking him while his dog bit the victim, prosecutors said.

Another employee attempted to intervene, but Watson allegedly swung at him as well.

The manager, still on the ground, moved in front of the counter, but Watson continued to strike and shout at him. The manager managed to get up and run out of the pizzeria, attempting to close the door on Watson.

Watson allegedly forced the door open, put the manager in a chokehold, threw him to the ground, and continued punching him in the face as his dog bit him. Watson then reportedly kicked the unresponsive manager in the face, punched him in the stomach, and stomped on his face twice more on the concrete sidewalk, prosecutors said.

After the attack, Watson walked back into the pizzeria and sat in the dining area with his dog until police arrived and arrested him on the scene.

The victim was transported to NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue, where he was treated for facial fractures, brain bleeding, severe bruising, and multiple dog bite wounds. He has been in a medically induced coma for approximately two weeks.