Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg Jr. today announced the guilty plea of TYSHAUN WATSON, 36, for brutally attacking a 47-year-old pizzeria manager in August 2024. WATSON pleaded guilty in New York State Supreme Court to two counts of Assault in the First Degree. Under the terms of his plea, he is expected to be sentenced on January 15, 2026, to a promised term of 17 years in state prison and 5 years of post-release supervision.
“Tyshaun Watson is facing accountability for viciously attacking a pizzeria manager. This employee, who was just doing his job, suffered significant injuries and had to be placed in a medically induced coma for two weeks,” said District Attorney Bragg. “No worker should ever have to fear for their safety, and my Office will prosecute those who harm them.”
According to court documents, statements made on the record, and as admitted in the defendant’s guilty plea, on August 19, 2024, at approximately 9:45 p.m., WATSON entered Roma Pizza, located at 146 5th Avenue, with his dog.
WATSON ordered pizza at the counter and sat in the back dining area to eat. The manager told him twice that his dog was not allowed in the restaurant. WATSON then walked up to the front counter and began arguing with the manager, who put his pizza in a to-go box. WATSON became irate and walked behind the counter, punched the manager’s head, tackled him to the ground and continued to strike him while WATSON’s dog bit him.
Another store employee attempted to get WATSON off the manager, but WATSON took a swing at the employee.
The manager, while still on the ground, moved in front of the counter where WATSON continued to strike and shout at him. The manager was able to pull himself up, run out of the pizzeria, and attempt to close the door on WATSON.
WATSON pushed the door open, placed the manager in a chokehold, threw him to the ground, and continued to punch him in the face as the dog bit him.
WATSON kicked the manager in the face and caused him to appear unresponsive on the ground. WATSON punched him in the stomach and stomped on his face two more times against the concrete sidewalk as he appeared unresponsive.
WATSON walked back into the pizza shop and sat in the dining area with his dog until police officers apprehended and arrested him on the scene.
The manager was transported to Bellevue Hospital where he was treated for significant bruising and swelling to his face, bleeding in his brain, facial and temporal bone fractures, multiple dog bite wounds, and a traumatic brain injury. He remained intubated and in a medically induced coma for approximately two weeks and was treated at the hospital for two months.
Assistant D.A. Nicole Borczyk (Trial Bureau 70) is handling the prosecution of this case under the supervision of Assistant D.A. Alfred Peterson (Senior Trial Counsel of Trial Bureau 70), Assistant D.A. David Hammer (Bureau Chief of Trial Bureau 70) and Executive Assistant D.A. Lisa DelPizzo (Chief of the Trial Division). Assistant District Attorney Sarah Shaklan, former Investigative Analyst Audrey Blumenstock, and Trial Preparation Assistant Alexa Grayson provided valuable assistance in the case.
D.A. Bragg thanked the NYPD, particularly Detective Christopher Olsen of the 13th Precinct Detective Squad.
Defendant Information:
TYSHAUN WATSON
Secaucus, NJ
Convicted:
- Assault in the First Degree, a class B felony, two counts
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