A Massachusetts restaurant owner allegedly chased two teenagers accused of leaving without paying, then assaulted them and pulled out a firearm—an encounter that left one of the teens fearing she would be killed.
Nadim Kashouh, 62, is accused of elbowing a 17-year-old girl and striking 18-year-old Javonnie Lee on Friday after the pair ran from his Springfield business, Nadim’s Downtown Mediterranean Grill, leaving behind a $92 bill, the Boston Globe reported.
According to a police report obtained by the Globe, Kashouh and another employee followed the teens to a nearby convenience store. Kashouh was born in Liberia and came to the United States in 1990 after escaping conflict in Lebanon.
The teenagers told police they had attempted to pay, but fled after their bank card was rejected twice, the Globe reported.
Kashouh allegedly demanded that they return to the restaurant and settle the bill. He also reportedly took the girl’s cellphone, Springfield police Officer Ryan Walsh said, according to WGGB.
The restaurant owner allegedly hit both teenagers, leaving the girl bruised. The confrontation escalated further when a group of seven people gathered at the scene.
“As a larger group gathered, Kashouh is alleged to have pointed his firearm in the direction of the group,” Walsh said.
Kashouh told authorities that he drew the weapon in self-defense, Walsh said.
The girl, however, told police that seeing the gun made her believe “she was going to lose her life.”
Kashouh has been charged with two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, as well as armed robbery with a firearm and assault and battery. He held an active license to carry the two firearms registered in his name.
If convicted of armed robbery, Kashouh could face a maximum sentence of life in prison.
Despite the serious allegations, Kashouh appeared in court Monday and continued to maintain that he is innocent.
“Mr. Kashouh was grateful for the opportunity to appear in court today and respond to the allegations against him. He maintains his innocence and that his actions were taken in self-defense,” his spokesperson said in a statement posted on Facebook.
“As this matter moves through the legal process, Mr. Kashouh looks forward to the opportunity for the facts and circumstances surrounding the incident to be fully addressed.”
The court appearance came shortly after Kashouh marked the 26th anniversary of his Springfield restaurant. Mayor Domenic Sarno recognized the milestone with an official proclamation.
The city designated September 10 as “Nadim’s Mediterranean Restaurant and Grill Day” in his honor.
Kashouh launched Nadim’s Downtown Mediterranean Grill in 2000, roughly 10 years after arriving in the United States.
He was born in Monrovia, Liberia, and moved with his family to Lebanon in 1974.
“My father owned a hotel in Lebanon, and every summer, I was cheap labor for him,” Kashouh told MassLive earlier this month.
“I was always working — from serving in the dining room to greeting the guests checking in and bringing them to their rooms.”
He relocated to the US when the civil war broke out — and initially sold Mitsubishi cars and jewelry before entering the restaurant industry.
Kashouh has become a respected figure within the Springfield restaurant community and those who know him have been quick to jump to his defense.
“I have known Nadim to be respectful, fair, calm, and incredibly hardworking,” Maureen Pinette, who worked with him between 2012 and 2014, wrote on Facebook.
“I’ve watched him deal with difficult situations and difficult people, and I have never known him to be someone who simply loses his cool.
“I see so much of Nadim in both of his children—the love, the loyalty, the work ethic, and the way they show up for the people around them.
“I’ve also watched Nadim give to people and to his community without needing recognition for it. He has done things for people simply because they needed help.”
Others have been less sympathetic, calling for him to face the full force of the law.
“Because he has a great business, well known in Springfield doesn’t mean you can commit crimes,” Qualina Lewis, a local resident, told WWLP.
“Threatening with a gun, someone could’ve lost their lives. Lock him up.”
Meanwhile, the two teens will be slapped with a charge of defrauding a restaurant – and they face a jail sentence of up to two years and a fine up to $600.
Some restaurants have shamed dine-and-dashers for their exploits.
Last month, Zoey Aldahash, who owns the Sweet Zoey Mediterranean restaurant in Casper, Wyoming, posted an image online of a party of four who had racked up a $130 tab — and had bolted without paying.
