A shocking and violent incident unfolded at a family-run laundromat in Pomona, Los Angeles County, when a man armed with a machete targeted a teenage employee, apparently enraged by the youth's choice of sports apparel.
Chaos Erupts Over Sports Jersey
Security footage captured the frightening moment the suspect, wielding a large machete, smashed through the laundromat's glass front door to gain entry. The violent entry brought him perilously close to striking a bystander near the entrance. Once inside, the assailant was seen aggressively hitting a countertop with the blade while darting around and issuing threats to customers.
Teenager Targeted for Team Colours
The primary target was 17-year-old Jacob Hernandez, who was working alone at his father's business. Hernandez recounted to NBC Los Angeles that the attacker focused on him because of his red San Francisco 49ers jersey, worn on the day the team was scheduled to play the Seattle Seahawks in the NFL playoffs.
"I had a red shirt because the 49ers were playing that day," Hernandez said. "He came in, saw my shirt and said, 'Get that effing red off.'" The incident is reported to have occurred at approximately 9:14am on that Saturday morning.
Father's Harrowing Account
Jacob's father, Phil Hernandez, heard the commotion and rushed to the scene. "What bothered me the most was that he went after my son," Phil recalled, expressing his distress. He explained he was not supposed to be at the laundromat that day, leaving his son to work solo.
"I’m not sure how my son or anyone would have handled that," he added, highlighting the vulnerability of the situation. Phil described a terrifying sequence where the suspect initially left the premises, only to return. While Phil called the police, he attempted to hold the door closed as the man shouted threats from outside.
The security video then shows the assailant swinging the machete, breaking the glass door, and forcing his way inside to pursue Jacob. "He kind of made it look like he was going after him," Phil stated. "My son took off, I think, appropriately." The footage shows the teenager being chased through the business by the knife-wielding man.
Aftermath and Police Investigation
Miraculously, no one was physically injured during the harrowing ordeal. The suspect fled the area before law enforcement officers arrived on the scene. As of the following Monday, authorities confirmed that no arrests had been made in connection with the attack, and the investigation remains ongoing.
In a bitter twist for the targeted teenager and his family, the San Francisco 49ers suffered a heavy 41-6 defeat to the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Divisional playoff game later that same day. The incident serves as a stark reminder of how sports fandom can, in rare and alarming cases, trigger unpredictable and dangerous behaviour.
