A Virginia woman, upset over an incorrect pizza order, allegedly incited her husband to stab and severely injure a restaurant employee, according to law enforcement officials. Catherine Harper, 45, reportedly called her husband, Corey Harper, 47, to “handle the situation” after a dispute with a 24-year-old worker at Mod Pizza, a fast-casual pizza chain.
Court documents, as reported by local NBC affiliate WAVY, graphically detail the midday assault, which was allegedly triggered by a mistake in the pizza order at the Seattle-based restaurant. The victim was reportedly stabbed multiple times, with one wound exposing the victim’s intestines. The Harpers are said to have fled the scene after the attack.
The couple was arraigned in Norfolk General District Court, where a judge ordered them to be held without bond. Corey Harper is facing felony charges of malicious wounding and brandishing a firearm, while Catherine Harper is charged with conspiracy to commit malicious wounding. The couple is scheduled to appear in court again on January 14.
Mod Pizza released a statement expressing their shock over the incident, which occurred over a simple mistake in an order. The company confirmed that the altercation resulted in one of their employees being hospitalized and the arrest of a guest. They also stated that they are fully cooperating with the local police in their ongoing investigation.
The company emphasized their zero-tolerance policy for behavior that escalates conflicts, whether initiated by a guest or a team member. As the injured employee recovers in the hospital, Mod Pizza is conducting an internal review and will make a well-considered decision about the situation.
In the wake of the violent incident, Mod Pizza officials stated that their top priority is to maintain a safe and enjoyable environment for both employees and customers. The company also acknowledged that such incidents force organizations to reevaluate their employee training and reinforce their values and expectations.