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Butcher knives, a kitchen staff, an argument — what could go wrong?

 
Xiaofu Feng, 44, faces three attempted second-degree murder charges.
Xiaofu Feng, 44, faces three attempted second-degree murder charges.
Published March 13, 2018

TAMPA — That knife attack Monday in the kitchen of a Chinese restaurant arose from a dispute over a missing cell phone, officials said Tuesday.

Suspect Xiaofu Feng, 44, and chef Qing Zheng, 55, were both working in the kitchen of Peking Chinese Restaurant, 6936 56th St., Tampa, when Feng accused Zheng of taking his phone, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office reported.

Feng "produced a 12-inch butcher knife and cut Zheng several times across the left side of his neck, causing deep lacerations, but narrowly missing the artery," sheriff's spokesman Danny Alvarez said.

The victim tried to warn others in the kitchen, but 29-year-old Qi Zheng, daughter of owner Shi Zheng, 48, was also attacked, with multiple cuts to her neck, shoulder and lower arm, Alvarez said.

Shi Zheng was cut across his face while trying to intervene.

Feng grabbed a second knife, Alvarez said. Despite injuries, Shi Zheng was able to get the second knife away from Feng and hold him until deputies arrived.

The victims were taken to Tampa General Hospital with non-life threatening injuries, and Feng was charged with three counts of attempted second-degree murder.