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‘Maintains His Innocence’: Lebanese Restaurant Owner Chases Down Two Black Teenagers, Pulls Gun on Them Over Unpaid $92 Bill, Police Say

Posted byBy Grace Jidoun | Published on: CommentsComments (0)

A well-known Lebanese restaurant owner in Springfield, Massachusetts, faces criminal charges after he got into a violent confrontation with two Black teenagers who allegedly skipped out on their bill.

Nadim Kashouh, 61, owner of the eponymous Nadim’s Mediterranean Grill, probably should have just called the police on the evening of Sept. 18. Instead, he allegedly chased down two dine-and-dashers, brandished a gun, and elbowed a teenage girl in the face.

Javonnie Lee, 18, and the 17-year-old girl, whom authorities did not name because she is a minor, apparently tried to pay for the meal, but the restaurant’s credit card machine declined their card twice, police said. They had racked up a sizable tab of $92.40 and made the unfortunate decision to run. Both teenagers now face criminal charges of defrauding an innkeeper.

Nadim Kashouh faces criminal charges after chasing down two Black teens over an unpaid bill. (Photo: WWLP, Springfield Police Dept.)

Witnesses say Kashouh gave chase, following them about a quarter mile down Harrison Street in the city center, to the A-to-Z Convenience store.

A witness there observed Kashouh grabbing the girl’s phone, saying he would keep it until they paid. Surveillance footage caught him lifting his shirt to reveal a gun, according to court documents obtained by local news outlet WWLP.

He hit the girl with his elbow, bruising her face, and also punched Lee in the face. He then allegedly walked away, still holding the girl’s phone, and pointed his gun at the teens when they tried to get it back, according to court documents.

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Kashouh claims a group of six or seven people swarmed around him, and he admitted to police that he waved his firearm at the group. A spokesperson for Kashouh said he “maintains his innocence” and that he acted in self-defense.

After his arrest that night, Springfield Police charged him with two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, two counts of assault and battery, and one count of armed robbery with a firearm.

Springfield Police spokesperson Ryan Walsh said Kashouh had a license to carry, but officers seized both the gun and his license during his arrest.

On Sept. 21, he pleaded not guilty in Springfield District Court and was released on personal recognizance. The pre-trial hearing is set for Oct. 22.

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