Posted on 09/03/2007 10:07:16 AM PDT by stainlessbanner
ORLANDO, Fla. -- A 40-year-old Denny's waitress was fatally stabbed in the neck and chest in front of dozens of customers and children at the tourist-filled International Drive restaurant, according to police.
Witnesses said the victim was met by her boyfriend Alejandro Casa, 47, Sunday night in the lobby area of the restaurant located at 7660 International Drive and Sand Lake Road.
Casa approached her and then repeatedly stabbed her with a steak knife before being chased out of the restaurant by other employees, according to witnesses.
Casa dropped the knife and lost a shoe as he fled the scene, police said.
"(The victim) was an employee and she was working on the floor when a Hispanic man walked in and attacked her viciously and intentionally," Orange County sheriff's Capt. Steve Lang said. "When he finished the attack, he was chased out of the restaurant by several people. He got away from those folks. We set up a perimeter but so far, we have not found him yet."
The homicide comes during a crime wave at Orlando's tourist spots, WKMG-TV reported.
Tourists said they were shocked to see the stabbing.
"I had dinner last night here and the lady who got killed was the woman who served my wife and I," Orlando tourist Juan Luis said.
"Even in England we have our problems but unfortunately there is a lot of violence and things like that going on," tourist Karen Wilkins said.
Police did not release the name of the victim because they said they were concerned about her children. Deputies said her children were missing late Sunday.
Investigators also said the victim recently obtained a restraining order against Casa but it had not been served.
Anyone with information concerning this crime is urged to call the Orange County Sheriff's Office.
Anybody know if the guy is legal?
why on earth did all those people just stand around and watch it happen? A sad commentary on how cowardly we’ve become.
It’s a shame that is the first question that comes in so many folks minds.
But it is sadly, a reality we all must face these days, that even the person next to us or the perp may not be here legally.
Don’t ask, don’t tell.
Who does this putz think he is, Cinderella?
One guy that they caught had broken into over 300 cars over a weeks period of time, at some of the tourist spots. Couldn't speak a word of English either so I will leave it up to others as to what he was and what the current crime wave is coming from.
Who are we to say that stabbing someone to death is wrong? It may acceptable in some cultures.
“Even in England we have our problems but unfortunately there is a lot of violence and things like that going on,” tourist Karen Wilkins said.
Too bad none of the tourists had a gun.
Note that it is easy to get a Florida Carry permit. No classes, required. Just ask for their application, get fingerprinted, and send in the hundred bucks or so. Visit packing.org for more info.
I hope the children are found soon safe and unharmed.
According to the Orange County Sheriff's Office, Caso is believed to be driving a white 1991 Chevrolet Station wagon. FL Tag # PDC2F.
I’m supposing there were no armed citizens there who could come to this poor woman’s rescue.
He could have been a Cuban-American.
Don't profile /sarcasm
Could it have been this man the police are looking for?
“Who are we to say that stabbing someone to death is wrong? It may acceptable in some cultures.”
apparently...
I think packing.org is defunct. Try www.handgunlaw.us
Perhaps we could keep the racist comments down to a low roar?
If she had known krav maga, she could have taken the knife out of his hand herself!
In the mid 1970's I was returning to work from lunch. The office was in Boston's Back Bay, an upscale neighborhood. I walked up to a crowd of about 40 people standing on the sidewalk next to the Arlington Street Church. I asked why the crowd was there. A voice replied they just watched a woman get raped in the bushes.
I think its more the norm for people to watch but not get involved. Growing up, I remember constantly hearing the mythical story about some Samaritan intervening in a dispute between a man and a woman to only have both turn their wrath against the Samaritan.
Was he... hard-working?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.