Disgruntled chef kills owner by stabbing him in the throat with kitchen knife at popular Lanzarote restaurant
LANZAROTE, CANARY ISLANDS: The owner of a popular restaurant in Lanzarote died after a disgruntled chef of the same eatery stabbed him in the neck, according to police.
The incident occurred at the Las Vegas restaurant in Puerto del Carmen, a popular tourist haunt, which has been described by British holidaymakers as "the best in Lanzorate" and a "hidden jewel" on TripAdvisor.
The stabbing occurred on Thursday afternoon, August 1, when the restaurant was preparing to open for the evening shift. Puerto del Carmen is a popular resort located southwest of the Canary Islands.
According to authorities, the crime unfolded after the chef and the owner got into an argument over working conditions in the restaurant. As the argument got intense the assailant picked up a kitchen knife and stabbed his boss in the throat.
The chef was arrested on the premises by two police officers who were nearby on beach patrol, the Daily Mail reported.
Diners at the restaurant said they saw the owner suddenly appearing in the doorway, holding his neck which was bleeding profusely. He then attempted to run to a nearby shop for help but he tripped over a bicycle.
A ship assistant said: "I heard him say 'police, police' with his hand on his neck without almost understanding what he was saying."
The owner of the bicycle rental business, Peter Ciacca, said: "He approached with his neck cut and with his hand on him asking for help. Then he fell to the ground and nothing could be done to save his life."
Resident and tourists, who were around at the time of the incident, said that they were "greatly shocked" by the incident.
Authorities are now checking CCTV cameras in the restaurant which recorded the brutal attack.
Reports state that the victim, whose name has not been disclosed, was a 45-year-old Moroccan citizen and was married with three children.
The alleged attacker was identified as a 59-year-old Spanish citizen, who has now been charged with manslaughter.