Sacked waiter loses it, goes on stabbing spree

A 30-year-old man was lynched on Sunday morning after he went on a stabbing spree injuring seven bystanders at Goregaon and Malad. Swearing revenge at being sacked as a waiter from a hotel in Goregaon (East), Shakir Nazir Khan first entered Garib Nawaz Hotel near Pandurangwadi and demanded breakfast at 8.30 am. A little later, he approached the restaurateur and demanded that he be reinstated as a waiter. Soon after, Khan got into a heated argument with the owner and ‘‘swore to kill everybody’’ in the locality.

Khan seized a knife and stepped out of the restaurant brandishing the weapon at everyone in his path. He then went on a stabbing spree, injuring four bystanders near the restaurant.

Police say three other persons were stabbed by Khan who ran into an adjoining street, flashing the knife as he thundered ahead. The victims were injured in the abdomen and arms, Malad police say. After the initial shock, bystanders turned into an angry mob and chased Khan. They caught up with him near a poultry shop in the area and began assaulting him with sticks.

Story continues below this ad

According to eyewitnesses, the police reached the spot 20 minutes later and a badly bruised Khan was rushed to Cooper Hospital but died before he was admitted to the emergency ward.

Preliminary investigations reveal Khan had a history of mental illness, which is why the restaurant owner sacked him in March.