Search is on for man accused of attacking Tijuana Flats manager in Jacksonville

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Intense video captures a man at Tijuana Flats throwing punches and chairs at the general manager. Now JSO needs help finding the man responsible.

All of it happened because manager David Scott said a DoorDash driver walked in on the man in the bathroom, crouched down with the lights off.

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From there, he told Action News Jax that things got heated, cuss words were exchanged and it escalated quickly.

“He came around the corner cursing, like around the register area, standing in my face cursing at me, and said something along the lines of ‘do you have the gun, I have a gun’,” Scott told Action News Jax. “Then he first turned around after shoving me the second time in the video that’s when he turned right instead of throwing chairs and, you know, threw a punch at me.”

JSO told Action News Jax over the phone and through email that they’ve received several tips and videos about the incident, and have sent everything to an investigating officer to follow up with, but haven’t identified the man yet.

The police report Action News Jax got on Wednesday says the man eventually left and went out to his black car, and Scott thought he saw the man with a gun when locking the door. Scott said there were at least eight or nine customers in the store at the time.

Action News Jax Law and Safety expert, Dale Carson, said considering there were customers inside, this can go beyond a battery charge.

“Today that’s called terroristic threats and it’s a serious, serious felony. Particularly when you claim to have a gun,” he said.

Witnesses also told Action News Jax that the men threatened to shoot everybody. The police report also said Scott had a small bruise on his right arm and told officers that the top of his head was a little sore

The video shared with Action News Jax has been given to police for evidence, according to the report. As for Scott, he says he tried his best to keep everyone safe.

RELATED STORY: ‘I have a gun:’ Man throws chair at, threatens Tijuana Flats employee in Jacksonville

“My only thought was defense. I need to get them out of there. I need to keep him from hurting anyone else the best I could,” Scott said.

Action News Jax spoke with the manager on the phone again Wednesday. He said he is feeling OK, but is hoping that man can be found soon.

Action News Jax also asked if there was security video of the incident because there are cameras inside the restaurant. We were told to contact corporate for it. When we did, nobody answered and we left a voicemail.

Police say if you recognize the man in the video, give them a call immediately.

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