The owner of Louie’s Pizzeria and his father were stabbed outside their 81-34 Baxter Ave. storefront on Saturday night coming to the aid of an Asian woman who was being attacked (Photo: twitter)
March 30, 2022 By Christian Murray
Nearly $150,000 has been raised via a GoFundMe page for the owners of Louie’s Pizzeria in Elmhurst who were stabbed coming to the aid of an Asian woman outside their Baxter Avenue business Saturday night.
More than 2,900 people have donated funds that aim to help cover the medical expenses of Louie Suljovic, 37, and his 68-year-old father who were stabbed multiple times while trying to stop a group of men from robbing a woman outside their 81-34 Baxter Ave. pizzeria.
According to police, three men approached a 61-year-old Korean woman outside the pizzeria at around 9 p.m. The perpetrators then allegedly pushed her to the ground, took her bag and stabbed her.
Suljovic’s father saw what was going on and the father-and-son duo then ran out to help.
They were able to able to hold down two of the suspects who were later arrested. However, they both sustained stab wounds to the lungs.
The men were praised for their heroics by the Commanding Officer of the 110th NYPD Precinct in a tweet.
“Local Military veteran and pizzeria owner Louie was working behind the counter at Louie’s pizza when he and his father witnessed an elderly woman being robbed outside. Without hesitation, they jumped into action to help and were stabbed in the process,” the tweet read.
“He and his father are among the very best New York has to offer. We thank them for their bravery and wish them a speedy recovery.”
Louie Suljovic, pictured, who came to the aid of a woman being robbed outside his pizzeria Saturday (Photo: instagram)
Security cameras caught footage of the three men who were following the victim that night.
The woman, who only speaks Korean, told ABC 7 that she remembers being pushed from behind and being stabbed while on the ground.
The organizers of the GoFundMe wrote on the fundraising page that the owners and staff of Louie’s were worthy of support.
“Louie’s stayed open throughout the pandemic, providing much-needed energy and sustenance to the heroic workers of nearby Elmhurst hospital, not to mention delivering countless meals to those of us sheltering at home. We knew the owners were heroes, but the bravery and heroism they showed last night was truly off the charts,”
They noted that Louie and his father are both recovering at Elmhurst hospital, the very place they helped support during the worst days of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The organizers of the GoFundMe page are also looking to track down the woman who was attacked in order to help her. “I haven’t been able to find out her name, or any details about her condition. If anyone knows her, could you please send me a message?” wrote Melanie Brussat who put the page together.
Police have arrested Robert Whack, 30, and Supreme Gooding, 18, on charges of robbery, assault, gang assault and criminal possession of a weapon.
A third man remains at large.
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3 Comments
These are 2 good guys. When my wife was in the hospital for a ling time I ate there often. I figured it would be average food but it was really good . After my wife got out of the hospital i still would go there when i was in the area, now I’ll go out of my way to eat there and support 2 guys who care about other people. Good for you guys. That’s a tough spot , alot of unsavory characters and you guys had the courage to help someone in need. You don’t just serve heros, you are heros .
As Lincoln would have said it is fitting and proper to do this ie the fund me page.
The only issue I have with it is that cause and appeal/charity type things are ripe for abuse. Many times most of it gets siphoned off to the wrong people. It would be better if the city had a program like this to help the victims in the long run (red tape) and people giving money directly to the victims in the short run.
They didn’t have go fund me when Lincoln was around.