A man's prank involving a co-workers chair was the impetus for a fight and deadly stabbing at a Montgomery County, Pennsylvania meat rendering facility, prosecutors said.
Peter Jok Atem, 32, is charged with the murder of his colleague, 25-year-old Danny Vazquez, the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office announced Thursday.
Prosecutors said Atem stabbed Vazquez multiple times during a brawl at the MOPAC meat rendering plant in Franconia on Wednesday.
The stabbing was the culmination of a series altercations between the men over a two day span.
The feud began on Tuesday when Vazquez tried to pull a chair out from under Atem, prosecutors said. Upset by the prank, the suspect was heard allegedly saying he was "going to get" the victim for that.
On Wednesday, the feud turned physical when plant workers witnessed the men wrestling on the floor. Prosecutors said Atem was seen choking Vazquez before he was able to escape.
Some time later, prosecutors said workers heard screaming and watched Atem stab the victim several times. He tried to make his way to an office and get help, but collapsed and lost consciousness. He later died at the hospital.
Police were called to the scene and found Atem in hiding in a shed. Prosecutors said he stabbed and slashed himself. Nearby, investigators found a knife and a handwritten note reading "See you in hell. Life for Life."
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A medical helicopter flew Atem to Paoli Hospital where he underwent surgery. He remains hospitalized, officials said.
Atem is charged with First Degree Murder and related offenses. He has yet to be arraigned because of his hospitalization.
