Good Samaritans stop Mission Beach stabbing rampage

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) -- A Mission Beach bartender is recovering after being stabbed multiple times during a rampage that was stopped by good Samaritans who tackled the suspect inside a restaurant, authorities said.

San Diego police said 42-year-old Hector Vasquez was arrested Thursday after witnesses say he threatened people with a knife before rushing into Moe’s Steakhouse on Mission Boulevard and attacking a bartender identified only as Matt. Investigators said Matt was stabbed at least seven times but is expected to survive.

Edwin Pauneto, the owner of Knot Exactly Sport Fishing, said he followed the suspect after seeing him brandish a knife and called 911.

“I heard something, so I turned around and looked out the door and there was a guy with a knife, and he was pretty much trying to stab people,” Pauneto said. “He decided to open up his knife and as he was walking toward Mission Boulevard, he opened up the side door of Moe’s and he rushes in.”

Pauneto said he grabbed a rock for protection and went inside, where he saw the injured bartender. He struck the suspect with the rock as another bartender used barstools to help pin Vasquez down until police arrived.

“The real hero here is actually Matt,” Pauneto said. “He wanted to protect everybody inside of Moe’s when he saw the guy come in with the knife. He went straight at him.”

A GoFundMe account has been created to help cover Matt’s medical expenses.

Police said Vasquez appeared to be under the influence of drugs at the time of the attack. He faces multiple charges, including attempted murder.