On a late Friday night in Brooklyn, a sense of routine was shattered by violence inside a neighborhood IHOP, leaving a beloved worker dead and a community reeling. The incident, which took place on September 5, 2025, at the IHOP located on Flatlands Avenue in East New York, has prompted an outpouring of shock, sorrow, and questions about safety in public spaces.
According to multiple news outlets, including ABC7NY, PIX11, and New York Daily News, the victim was 69-year-old Hector Reinoso Perez, a hardworking immigrant from the Dominican Republic who had called Brooklyn home for the past five years. Perez, who worked as a cleaner and dishwasher at the IHOP, was known among colleagues and family as a caring and gentle man. He was performing his usual duties when tragedy struck just past 10:35 p.m. (some reports note the time as just before 11 p.m.), an ordinary shift turning fatal in a matter of moments.
Authorities say the attack unfolded in the restaurant’s restroom. Wilber Salazar Rios, 44, a former IHOP employee from Hempstead, Long Island, allegedly followed Perez into the bathroom and stabbed him once in the upper body with a knife. The wound, according to Perez’s daughter—who spoke through a translator to New York Daily News—was devastating. “He stabbed him so hard. He wanted him to die,” she recounted, adding that the single blow tore through her father’s kidneys, liver, and other organs. Despite being rushed to Brookdale University Hospital, doctors were unable to save Perez. “The doctors couldn’t do anything,” his daughter said. “He was a very caring, sweet person and he never had any problems with anyone.”
During the chaos, a 41-year-old IHOP employee tried to intervene and was slashed on the hand. Fortunately, this individual’s injuries were not life-threatening, and he declined medical treatment at the scene, as reported by Patch. The suspect, Rios, also cut his own hand during the assault and was taken into custody by responding officers at the scene, according to New York Daily News and PIX11. He was later charged with murder, assault with intent to cause serious physical injury, and criminal possession of a weapon. Police confirmed Rios was not currently employed at the IHOP, though he had previously worked there. Investigators have not yet determined a motive for the attack, and as of Monday, September 8, 2025, the investigation was ongoing.
The relationship between the victim and the accused killer has added a layer of poignancy to the tragedy. Family members described the two men as friendly, with no history of arguments or ill will. “They never had arguments,” Perez’s granddaughter told New York Daily News. “They were good.” The night of the attack, the two were reportedly seen talking casually before Perez went to the bathroom, where Rios followed him and launched the fatal assault. The sudden eruption of violence has left Perez’s family and colleagues grasping for answers. “He found a job here (at IHOP) and he actually really loved his job,” his granddaughter added. “He’s worked at that job ever since he came.”
The broader IHOP community has also expressed its grief and resolve. In a statement obtained by PIX11 News, an IHOP spokesperson conveyed condolences and emphasized the company’s commitment to safety: “Our thoughts are with the loved ones of our team member, as well as with the entire team at this location. We are cooperating fully with the local law enforcement investigation. The safety of our team members and guests is our number one priority.”
The fatal stabbing has triggered a wave of concern about workplace safety and violence in public settings. While police have not released details about what may have motivated Rios, the fact that the attack took place in a familiar, seemingly safe environment has unnerved both employees and patrons. According to Newsday, Rios had no prior criminal history, and his arraignment was pending in Brooklyn Criminal Court as of Monday. The weapon used was a knife, and the attack was described by authorities as a sudden, targeted act rather than the result of an ongoing dispute.
For those who frequented the Flatlands Avenue IHOP, Perez’s death is more than just a headline—it is a personal loss. He was remembered as a fixture in the restaurant, working in the front on Fridays and as a dishwasher on other days. “He never got into any trouble,” his daughter said. Family members described him as someone who came to the United States in search of a better life, finding both steady work and community at the IHOP. The outpouring of grief from his loved ones and co-workers underscores the impact one person can have on those around them, even in the often-anonymous world of shift work and late-night hours.
The incident has also sparked calls for greater vigilance and preventive measures in public spaces, particularly in businesses that operate late into the night. While IHOP’s corporate response has been swift and supportive, the event serves as a sobering reminder that violence can erupt anywhere, at any time, and often without warning. The investigation remains active, with police seeking to understand the circumstances that led to such a senseless act.
As Brooklyn residents process the loss and the IHOP community mourns the passing of Hector Reinoso Perez, questions linger about what more can be done to keep workers and patrons safe. For now, the focus remains on supporting those affected and ensuring that justice is served. The memory of Perez—a hardworking immigrant, a grandfather, and a friend to many—endures as a testament to the quiet dignity found in everyday lives, and the profound impact left behind when one is taken too soon.
