D.A. Bragg Announces Indictment In Slashing Of Midtown Café Worker

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg Jr. today announced the indictment of WAGNER LOUIS, 33, for allegedly slashing a café employee in Midtown on August 20, 2025. LOUIS is charged in a New York State Supreme Court indictment with one count of Attempted Murder in the Second Degree and two counts of Assault in the First Degree. [1]

"A café employee was going about his workday when Wagner Louis entered the Midtown establishment and allegedly slashed the worker, almost killing him," said District Attorney Bragg. "This broad daylight attack is horrifying, and I hope the victim continues to heal from this assault. We do not tolerate threats to the safety of workers in Manhattan and will prosecute those who cause hard-working New Yorkers harm."

As alleged in court documents and statements made on the record, on August 20, 2025, at approximately 3:00 p.m., LOUIS entered a coffee shop in Midtown. LOUIS went straight to the bathrooms and was visibly agitated when he found the bathroom was occupied. While waiting for the occupant to leave the bathroom, LOUIS began antagonizing a 50-year-old man who worked at the coffee shop. After a few minutes, LOUIS attempted to enter the back kitchen area of the coffee shop to urinate inside the sink, to which the employee said no. Eventually, the occupant of the bathroom exited, and the defendant went inside.

When LOUIS exited the bathroom, the employee escorted him outside the store. LOUIS pushed the employee in the chest multiple times and then spit on him. Seconds into the physical altercation that ensued, LOUIS took out a sharp object and slashed the victim in the neck. Store employees immediately called the police. LOUIS entered a nearby car and fled the scene. About 5 minutes after the slashing, the defendant was arrested four blocks away.

The victim lost consciousness in the coffee shop and was rushed to Bellevue Hospital where he received two blood transfusions and three layers of stitches in his neck. He has over 19 stitches spanning across 5 to 6 inches on the right side of his neck.

Assistant D.A. Meral Kerim (Trial Bureau 70) is handling the prosecution of this case under the supervision of Assistant D.A. David Hammer (Chief of Trial Bureau 70) and Executive Assistant D.A. Lisa DelPizzo (Chief of the Trial Division). Trial Preparation Assistant Jasmine Berger and Senior Investigative Analyst Dalia Zuckermann are providing valuable assistance in this case.

D.A. Bragg thanked the NYPD, particularly Police Officers Robert Ronacher and Ryan Vogt of the Midtown South Precinct and Detective Nicholas Mitchell of the Midtown South Precinct Detective Squad.

Defendant Information:

WAGNER LOUIS

Brooklyn, NY

Charged:

• Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, a class B felony, one count
• Assault in the First Degree, a class B felony, two counts

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[1] The charges contained in the indictment are merely allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. All factual recitations are derived from documents filed in court and statements made on the record in court.