The man seen in a viral video raising a knife in a Wendy’s in Northridge on Tuesday morning told NBC Los Angeles he wants to set the record straight, saying he “didn’t do anything wrong.”
“I was sitting, having breakfast with my girlfriend, and we were at Wendy’s, and we were saying grace,” Kyle Manfre said. “And this assailant was in there, harassing the staff hardcore.”
A fellow Wendy’s patron agreed.
“There was a belligerent customer that was arguing with the employees,” witness Jesus Lepit said. “I went to use the restroom, and when I came out, the customer was still talking to the employees, arguing with them about random stuff. And then that’s when he decided to come up to a couple that was minding their own business, eating their breakfast.”
Manfre has his own cell phone video of a man in a baseball cap who makes his way to the table where the couple are sitting.
“He gets right in my face and keeps repeatedly saying, ‘What are you going to do about it?’ I’m talking like a broken record,” Manfre said.
A confrontation follows, when Manfre claims he was injured.
“He tried to hit me with a chair, several, like three or four different chairs,” Manfre said. “I’ve seen the video flying by.”
That’s when Manfre pulled out his weapon.
“I was victimized, and I protected myself,” Manfre said. “I brandished a knife. I didn’t use it. I didn’t commit any form of felony.”
The Los Angeles Police Department apparently did not agree, telling NBCLA Wednesday that when they arrived, they arrested Manfre on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon.
“I’m a hero who saved my girl, my girlfriend, and everyone at that establishment,” Manfre said. “And I’m being branded and charged as a villain.”
NBCLA does not know the name or whereabouts of the other man involved. The LAPD calls him the victim and says he was taken to the hospital with minor injuries, including a laceration.
Manfre said he went to a hospital and that he has hired an attorney.
