Customer in California Subway attacks manager after being denied extra meat on sandwich: ‘Will you hit me over ham?’

A customer at a Subway in Madera, Calif. became irate when workers refused to put extra meat on his sandwich, leading to an altercation that resulted in the store’s general manager, Monique Larios, being injured. The customer, later identified as George Sandoval, claimed he had paid for double the amount of meat than what was on his sub and demanded 12 extra slices of ham. However, the store countered, stating they had proof of his exact order. This disagreement escalated into a physical altercation when Sandoval began punching Larios, causing potentially permanent damage to her. Despite being significantly smaller than her attacker, Larios was unable to defend herself against the customer’s violent outburst.

During the attack, a bystander intervened by striking Sandoval in the face multiple times, allowing the workers to seek safety behind the counter. Sandoval was apprehended later that day and charged with battery. The Madera Police Department condemned his behavior towards the workers, particularly the physical assault on the female manager. Larios suffered severe injuries as a result of the incident, forcing her to miss work for more than a week and impacting her financial stability as a single mother. She started a GoFundMe to seek help with her mounting bills, expressing fear over potential permanent damage to her face and the trauma she experienced.

Larios, who plans to press charges against her attacker, expressed disbelief at the escalation of the situation over a sandwich and criticized Sandoval for resorting to violence without attempting to resolve the issue through communication. Despite the lasting impact on her health and finances, Sandoval faces minimal consequences for his actions, leaving Larios and her family to bear the burden of the aftermath. She highlighted the unfairness of the situation, where she is suffering while her aggressor continues to live his life unaffected. The incident underscores the need for conflict resolution through dialogue and understanding, rather than resorting to physical violence to address disputes.

The assault at the Subway in Madera serves as a troubling example of the potential repercussions of minor arguments escalating into violent confrontations. It also sheds light on the vulnerability of workers in service industries who face the risk of encountering aggressive customers. Larios’ case highlights the physical and emotional toll that such incidents can have on individuals and their families, especially when the aggressors face minimal consequences for their actions. Going forward, there is a need for greater awareness and support for workers who are subjected to abuse and violence in the workplace, along with measures to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.

In the aftermath of the incident, the community rallied around Larios, offering support and financial assistance to help her during her recovery. The response to her GoFundMe campaign and the outpouring of sympathy and solidarity from the public reflect a shared recognition of the injustice she faced and a desire to help alleviate her suffering. By coming together to support Larios, the community sends a message of resilience and compassion in the face of adversity, standing against the use of violence as a means of conflict resolution and advocating for a safer and more respectful environment for workers in all industries. Ultimately, Larios’ story serves as a reminder of the importance of standing up against injustice and supporting those in need during challenging times.