PITTSBURGH — Two men have been arrested and charged with aggravated assault after a workplace altercation at a Jimmy John’s sandwich shop in downtown Pittsburgh left a coworker hospitalized in critical but stable condition.
Police were dispatched to the restaurant at 1027 Penn Avenue at approximately 8:30 p.m. on December 15 following reports of a violent fight. Upon arrival, officers found an adult male victim, a Jimmy John’s employee, who had been severely beaten. Pittsburgh EMS transported the victim to an area hospital, where he remains in critical but stable condition.
The assault reportedly stemmed from a workplace argument, which escalated after one of the attackers, Tyree Blue-Murphy, 33, asked to pet the victim’s service dog. The request reportedly led to a dispute that turned physical, with Blue-Murphy and a second coworker, Damon Robinson, 31, allegedly beating, kicking, and stomping the victim. The attackers also reportedly struck the victim with a bicycle tire during the assault.
Blue-Murphy and Robinson, both from McKeesport, were taken into custody for questioning and later arrested. They face charges of aggravated assault and criminal conspiracy. Both men are being held without bail at the Allegheny County Jail.
Authorities continue to investigate the incident while the victim recovers from his injuries.