Man Sentenced to 17 Years in Prison After ‘Viciously Attacking’ Pizzeria Worker in Video Footage

A man has pleaded guilty to a violent assault on a Manhattan pizzeria manager that left the victim with severe brain injuries and in a medically induced coma for weeks.

Tyshaun Watson, 36, pleaded guilty in New York State Supreme Court on Dec. 3, 2025, to two counts of first-degree assault, according to a statement from the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office. Under the plea agreement, Watson was sentenced on Jan. 15, 2026, to 17 years in state prison, followed by five years of post-release supervision.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg Jr. said Watson is “facing accountability” for what he described as a vicious attack on a worker who was simply doing his job. Bragg added that no one should have to fear for their safety at work, and said his office will prosecute those who harm employees.

The assault happened on Aug. 19, 2024, around 9:45 p.m. inside Roma Pizza at 146 Fifth Avenue, according to court records and statements made during Watson’s plea. Prosecutors said Watson entered with an unleashed dog, ordered food, and sat down to eat. The manager told Watson twice that dogs were not permitted inside the restaurant.

Authorities said tensions escalated after the manager boxed Watson’s pizza to go. In security video released by the district attorney’s office, Watson appears to become visibly angry before going behind the counter and attacking the manager. Prosecutors said Watson punched the manager in the head, tackled him to the ground, and kept striking him as Watson’s dog bit the victim.

Another employee tried to step in, but prosecutors said Watson swung at that worker too. The employee backed away after being hit.

The assault continued inside and outside the restaurant, authorities said. Prosecutors said the manager tried to flee and shut the door behind him, but Watson forced it open, put the man in a chokehold, and threw him to the ground—continuing to punch him as the dog bit him. Watson then kicked the manager in the face, leaving him unresponsive, prosecutors said, before punching him in the stomach and stomping on his face twice on the sidewalk.

After the attack, prosecutors said Watson walked back into the pizzeria and sat down with his dog until police arrived and arrested him at the scene.

The manager was taken to Bellevue Hospital, where he was treated for bleeding in the brain, facial and skull fractures, multiple dog-bite wounds, and a traumatic brain injury. Prosecutors said he remained intubated and in a medically induced coma for about two weeks and spent roughly two months in the hospital.