A homeless man who allegedly attacked a restaurant employee and slashed a man in the East Village last month has been indicted, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office said on Monday.
According to court documents, Steven Johnson, 35, who is facing a slew of charges, was laying in front of — and blocking — the doorway of the Anytime Street restaurant, located at 34 St. Mark’s Place, on June 5 at approximately 12:45 p.m. when a male employee of the restaurant asked him to leave and called 911.
While the employee was on the phone with emergency dispatchers, the defendant approached him from behind and struck him in the head with a metal bike chain. The attack caused significant bleeding from a laceration that required stitches at Bellevue Hospital, officials said.
Johnson was not yet done with his violent crime spree. The next day, at approximately 5:15 p.m., he allegedly walked behind a man who was seated at a table in the Astor Place pedestrian plaza and slashed the 30-year-old victim with a sharp object from his right ear to his left shoulder.
After the unprovoked attack, Johnson then fled the scene on foot before officers from the 9th Precinct arrived. Meanwhile, bystanders immediately rendered aid to the bloodied victim, who was rushed by EMS to Bellevue Hospital where he underwent surgery and is facing permanent scarring, the DA’s office said.
Police ultimately apprehended Johnson on June 8 at the subway station on East 86th Street and Lexington Avenue. According to officials at the DA’s office, he was allegedly wearing the same clothes he had on during the alleged crimes.
“As alleged, Steven Johnson attacked a restaurant employee just one day before slashing a pedestrian who was sitting in a plaza,” District Attorney Alvin Bragg said. “My thoughts are with the victims as they heal from their extensive injuries. Those who harm and threaten the safety of New Yorkers will be held accountable.”
Johnson is facing charges of second-degree attempted murder, a class B felony, one count; first-degree assault, a class B felony, two counts; and second-degree assault, a class D felony, one count.
