Popeyes customer stabbed by employee amid attack 'over a food order': Police

A man was stabbed by a Popeyes employee at a Philadelphia location following a heated dispute about an order, according to police and reports.

The incident occurred just after 11:00 p.m. local time inside the fast food restaurant on Tuesday. A spokesperson for the Philadelphia Police Department told USA TODAY that the customer, identified as a 28-year-old, was transported to a local hospital after "suffering multiple stab wounds to the body." He is in stable condition.

The spokesperson said detectives are actively investigating the case. Chief Inspector Scott Small provided more insight to WPVI about what led to the altercation, adding that the worker was acting in self-defense.

"The 28-year-old customer had some sort of dispute with employees over a food order and began attacking and assaulting one of the employees," Small explained to the outlet.

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Man was stabbed in head, torso, official says

According to the report, several Popeyes employees were present and attempted to help their coworker during the confrontation, which was captured on security video obtained by police.

"Other employees intervened and tried to push this 28-year-old back out from the front door," Small said to the news station. "That's when the 34-year-old employee getting assaulted and attacked pulled a knife and stabbed the 28-year-old."

The man was struck in the torso and head, per the official. He fled the scene, but officers found him due to a blood trail that led them to a residence in the area, NBC Philadelphia reported. It's unclear if he is facing any charges at this time.

"The franchisee, along with the employee involved in the incident, are fully cooperating with local authorities on the current investigation," a Popeyes spokesperson told USA TODAY Thursday.

This story has been updated to add new information.

Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at tardrey@gannett.com.