UPDATE ON JUNE 26: The family posted this update about Marcos Mendiola over the weekend. They say he's still recovering. They are also concerned because the suspects are still on the loose.
There is surveillance video of the attack but Roberto's, where Mendiola is employed, says it disappeared from their system after police took a copy of it. Las Vegas police have denied deliberately deleting the video and says it could have been an accident. At this time, police say they will not release the video.
UPDATE ON JUNE 22: Marcos Mendiola is still recovering at the hospital. His family says he doesn't have insurance and medical bills are piling up. Meanwhile, the community rallying behind him. A story about the incident on the television station's Facebook page received thousands of comments. The family has set up a GoFundMe account to help with his medical expenses.
ORIGINAL STORY
Roberto's Taco Shop cook Marcos Mendiola is recovering after being stabbed 14 times by a customer.
It happened at the Roberto's near Vegas Drive and Rainbow Boulevard around 11:30 p.m. Tuesday. Mendiola says he was working in the kitchen when two men and a woman came in and ordered carne asada nachos.
He says they became angry over his addition of chicken to their order. He says they began berating him and then things turned physical.
One of them went around to the kitchen and stabbed him 14 times, including in the head and abdomen. The customers ran out, jumping into a silver car, and Mendiola was taken to the hospital.
He is expected to recover from his injuries, but the suspects are still on the loose.
Three generations of Mendiola's family have worked at Roberto's, and Mendiola is a father of six. His family says they can't understand why he would become a victim of such a random act of violence.
His son, Marcos III, says people need to be more respectful to those in the food industry.
"We do our best to treat them as we would want to be treated but it's hard when people are so negative and so cruel."
If you have any information on this case, call Las Vegas Metropolitan Police.
