Alleged Hammer-Wielding Restaurant Killer Charged With Hate Crime

A man who allegedly killed three people at a Brooklyn restaurant with a hammer now faces both murder and murder as a hate crime charges following the gruesome scene, where he allegedly targeted Asian victims. Arthur Martunovich of Sheepshead Bay faces life in prison for the incident on Tuesday, January 15th, according to Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez.

The attack happened at Seaport Buffet, also in Sheepshead Bay, shortly after 5 p.m., when customers were in the space. Martunovich allegedly went into the restaurant with a shammer and told a Latino staffer that he would be safe before going on to strike Asian staffers. The Post reports that Martunovich allegedly told cops “Chinese men are awful. They hold their women captive.”

Ultimately, victims chef Fufai Pun, part-owner Tsz Mat Pun, and manager Thang Ng all died of blunt force injuries to the head. Martunovich also allegedly attacked police officers after his arrest, according to the DA’s office.

The 21-count indictment includes charges of first-degree murder, second-degree murder as a hate crime, criminal possession of a weapon, and assault.

Martunovich pleaded not guilty, according to the Post, saying that he remembers leaving his apartment with the hammer to “prove my love of women” but not what happened after that. He has been held without bail, and the judge has ordered a psychiatric exam. He will return to court on March 4th.

• Alleged hammer attacker charged with killing three inside restaurant [NYP]