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.
“why on earth did all those people just stand around and watch it happen? A sad commentary on how cowardly we’ve become.”
You don’t know the facts. It could have happened so suddenly that no one could have stopped it from happening. Who pays that much attention to a waitress, especially when you are with your kids on vacation? Several did give chase, so I think it is just plain wrong to call them cowards.
Well, if we aren’t going to deport them, .....
Uh ,, what racist comments?
When guys have restraining orders on them, the next step is often murder. It sets them off. She probably told him and it set him off.
I've actually seen someone stabbed to death in a crowded bar. It's amazing how fast it can happen, and no one had any chance to stop it. The perp did the deed and was just a blur running out the door. Everyone was shocked, it happened so fast and there was no chance for anyone to stop him or chase him down to catch him.
It's a credit to the employees who chased this guy out of there. I doubt anyone could have saved her or caught a guy who was armed with a knife.
Exactly. As if it is some sort of anomaly.
That's why cops use the 21 foot distance rule in reacting to a person with a knife. (Generally, if a person with a knife in his/her hand is within 21 feet, they can get you before you can draw and shoot them.)
To a casual observer, knifings often look like someone is getting punched.
Wrong. You have to show proficiency with a firearm. There are several ways of doing this but they all involve taking a firearms safety course at one point or another.
Condolences to the innocent victim’s children, remaining members of her family and her friends.
“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.”
A class is required or proof of military service. You also have to deal with the incompetents who take fingerprints at the sheriff’s office. Took me 5 tries to get a set the state would accept.
What elephant? What living room?
It may have been a tourist restaurant. Tourists don’t pack unless they drive in. If there had been a lot of locals it might have been different. We have the Castle act here in FL, and in my local newpaper there are often accounts of armed citizens stepping in and rescuing folks. (Tampa)
What racist comments?
What are YOU talking about? Do you even understand the word "racism?" By definition, it is the belief that your race is superior to another race. I don't see anything like that on this thread.
For example: Nazism. Those boneheads actually believed their mythical race was better than every other race on earth.
I think you just used the "R" word because you don't like the thread. Guess what? We live in America and we have freedom of speech.
If this is a problem for you -- may I suggest you move to Venezuela? They have a lovely beaches and dissenting opinions are thrown into jail...
The restaurant is on International Drive which is a major tourist area in Orlando. I'm sure most of the patrons were out-of-towners.
Very sad. Hope they catch the ba***rd.
This is Florida. He may very well get the dirt nap.
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