Viral Wendy’s Knife Incident in Southern California Leads to Arrest and Content Creator’s Defense

A confrontation inside a Southern California fast-food restaurant involving flying chairs, a pocket knife, and a viral social media video has resulted in an arrest and ongoing legal proceedings. The incident occurred at a Wendy’s location in Northridge.

Los Angeles Police Department spokesperson Officer Charles Miller stated that officers responded to a call regarding a potential assault with a deadly weapon at 10:15 a.m. on Tuesday in the 18500 block of Devonshire Street. Upon arrival, authorities found a man with minor lacerations and detained 46-year-old Kyle Manfre. Police booked Manfre into the Van Nuys Jail on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon involving a knife, following a medical clearance requested by Manfre himself.

Jail records indicate that Manfre posted a $30,000 bail later that same day. A court hearing in the matter is scheduled for Nov. 17 at the San Fernando Courthouse.

Video footage of the altercation quickly circulated online, showing a customer holding a blade while another individual grinned. Eyewitness Jesus Lepit recounted that the man wearing a cap had been arguing with restaurant employees before approaching a couple who were peacefully eating breakfast.

“He got into that guy’s face,” Lepit said, noting that chairs were thrown around during the disturbance.

Manfre, who identifies as a content creator and writer, offered a different account of the sequence of events. Speaking in the aftermath of the incident, he asserted that he was wrongfully charged and expressed a strong desire to clear his name.

According to Manfre, he and his girlfriend had just finished saying grace when a man who had been directing profanities at Wendy’s staff stepped to within inches of his face. Manfre stated that he attempted to exit his booth to create distance, but the man wearing a cap blocked his path.

“I was terrified,” Manfre said, explaining that he initially believed the individual was holding a shiny metal weapon in his fist, leading him to fear for his life. He later discovered the object was a set of keys. Manfre maintained that he did not use the blade offensively, stating, “I only brandished it.” Authorities subsequently confiscated the roughly three-inch pocket knife.

Additionally, Manfre provided photographs documenting swelling and bleeding on his hand, which he attributed to attempts to shield his face from thrown chairs during the clash. While he confirmed he has retained legal representation, he declined to disclose his attorney’s name. Police have not yet released the identity of the other individual involved in the altercation as the investigation continues.