Who is James Henry Schulz? Texas man stabs Jack in the Box manager after refusing to wear mask, still at large
LEAGUE CITY, TEXAS: Authorities are looking for a man who allegedly stabbed a Jack in the Box manager multiple times after he was asked to wear a face mask or leave the restaurant. The incident took place on Wednesday, March 17, around 8 pm at a Jack in the Box outlet located at 1503 W. League City Parkway, ABC 13 reported.
The suspect, now identified as 53-year-old James Henry Schulz, is said to have walked into the establishment without a face mask and was told he would be required to wear one if he wished to be served or use the drive-thru of the restaurant.
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"[Schulz] belligerently refused and said they did not want to serve him because he was homeless and began yelling that he would be contacting his attorney as he was filming with his cell phone," League City police chief Gary Ratliff told reporters at a briefing Thursday afternoon.
The manager is seen on surveillance video footage released by the police department holding up the store's written policy as he leads Schulz out the door. Seconds after turning his back, however, Schulz steps back into the restaurant and chases the manager, eventually attacking him with what appeared to be a pocketknife (which investigators believe might still be in his possession).
Police revealed that the manager was stabbed three times in the arm and upper torso. He was rushed to the hospital, where he received the necessary medical attention and was discharged. "The suspect walked towards the door as if to leave. The manager turned his back and the suspect ran up behind him, tackled him, and stabbed him multiple times,” said Ratliff.
Police released two stills of Schulz captured on surveillance cameras. He is seen in the images wearing a black and red flannel long-sleeved shirt and blue jeans. The suspect is also wearing a camouflage hat and investigators say he was carrying a green backpack at the time of the assault.
Schulz fled the scene on a bicycle with a yellow flag, which police later found abandoned. An arrest warrant has since been issued for the attacker, who is still on the run.
Neighbors appeared shocked when they learned of the episode. "That's pretty extreme,” one neighbor told Local 21 News. "Just put it on and eventually we get to take them off and go back to normal life, I hope. But no need to kill someone or injure somebody over it,” another neighbor added.
"There's no reason to let it get to that point. You can refuse to do business at those locations or whatever it is you choose to do, but there is no reason to result to aggressive behavior like this,” said Ratliff.
Jack in the Box issued the following statement late Thursday night: "Due to privacy issues and the current police investigation, we are unable to discuss details at this time. We have a temporary brand standard that requires our franchisees to require their employees and guests to wear masks."
If you or anyone you know has related information you are urged to connect with the League City Police Department at 281-332-2566.