Man allegedly stabbed by customer upset about mask-wearing policy

TACOMA, Wash. — A 33-year-old Tacoma man is back at his family’s store after he and his father were attacked by a customer who got upset over wearing a mask.

The stabbing happened yesterday afternoon at “The Corner Store” in Tacoma’s North Slope neighborhood.

This assault has affected an entire community, evidenced by the many well-wishes people have left here. Flowers and cards, were left for the men, and messages were scribbled on the sidewalk.

Incredibly, one of the men attacked is back here on the job.

“Doing much better,” said Jin Hyun. “Doing much better.”

Throughout this Tuesday, customers of The Corner Store inquired about the health of Hyun and his father, a day after a customer stabbed them both.

“Just came in to grab one of these off you, man,” said a regular. “Please give your pops the best sympathy from me, man.”

Just 24 hours ago, Hyun said a customer he had seen before refused to wear a mask. But the customer continued shopping.

“And I told him again, ‘Sir, you’ve got to have your mask on. We can’t serve you,’” said Hyun. “And then, as I was escorting him out, he was getting upset as he was walking out.”

That’s when the man pulled out a knife and stabbed Hyun in the abdomen.

“Then my dad jumped on the guy,” said Hyun. “And then the guy starts stabbing my dad multiple times. The crazy thing is he just walked away as if nothing happened.”

Moments later, Chopper 7 was overhead, capturing Tacoma police officers frantically canvassing the area, looking for the assailant.

“They want to look and ensure that any immediate leads that they have, any information they may have that they try and follow up on it as soon as possible,” said Tacoma Police Officer Shelbie Boyd. “Unfortunately, it did not lead to an arrest yesterday.”

Jin Hyun is still hurting from his injury. But his 59-year-old father, Biyung Hyun, was badly injured.

“Back of head, went through his wrist, and then there’s a couple on the sides,” said Jin Hyun. “Yeah. He got the worst. Mine’s minor compared to his.”

And then there’s the emotion of it all.

“How are you feeling about this happening to your dad?”

“It breaks my heart,” said Jin Hyun while describing his reaction to what happened to his dad. “Yeah, I think that’s what made him jump out, try to protect me.”

Biyung Hyun is recovering at home.

Jin Hyun said he doesn’t believe the attack was racially motivated. He said the customer just did not want to wear a mask.

A GoFundMe account set up for this family has already raised more than $17,000.

Cox Media Group