New Jersey Bakery Owner Stabbed Over Eggplant Sandwich Dispute

A violent incident occurred at The Baladna Bakery in Patterson, New Jersey, where a customer confronted and stabbed the bakery’s owners over a longstanding grievance related to a sandwich. The attack took place on March 7, 2024, when the customer, reportedly upset about being served a sandwich with eggplant four years prior, returned to the establishment armed with a knife.

The customer, whose identity has not been released, expressed his anger over the eggplant sandwich, claiming it triggered an allergic reaction. According to witnesses, he confronted both Abed and Mohammad Assad, the bakery owners, stating, “You give me eggplant in my sandwich and then my stomach was bothering me.”

The situation escalated quickly, resulting in Mohammad sustaining a stab wound to the stomach. As Abed attempted to assist his brother, he was also attacked, suffering a slash to his arm. A witness described the chaos, stating, “I heard screaming, so I went outside to see one of the bakery owners outside holding his arm. His arm was bleeding,” highlighting the shock felt by those in the vicinity, as the Assads are known to be well-regarded members of the community.

Both brothers were transported to Saint Joseph’s University Hospital for treatment of their injuries. As of March 10, 2024, Mohammad remained hospitalized, while Abed had been discharged.

In response to the incident, Patterson Mayor André Sayegh visited the business district to reassure local residents and other business owners about their safety. “They’re concerned. This type of thing does not happen in that area, so I tried to assuage some of the fears, allay their concerns and reassure them that the police department is completely focused on bringing whomever is responsible for this tragic violent incident to justice,” he stated.

The suspect was last seen fleeing the scene on Main Street, but authorities have not yet provided a detailed description. The bakery remains closed following the attack, with no indication of when it might reopen. Local community members have expressed their dismay over the violence, reflecting on the bakery’s reputation as a friendly neighborhood establishment.

As investigations continue, the incident underscores the serious implications of unresolved conflicts and the potential for violence stemming from seemingly minor grievances.