Kyle Manfre, the individual seen in a viral video brandishing a knife at a Los Angeles Wendy's, has stated he was acting as a "hero" and did not engage in wrongdoing. Manfre was arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon following the incident.
According to Manfre, he was having breakfast with his girlfriend at the Northridge Wendy's when another customer began "harassing the staff hardcore." Manfre claims this individual then approached him and his girlfriend, repeatedly asking, "What are you going to do about it?"
"I was victimized, and I protected myself," Manfre told NBC LA. "I brandished a knife. I didn’t use it. I didn’t commit any form of felony."
Another witness, Jesus Lepit, corroborated Manfre's account, stating that a belligerent customer was arguing with employees and then confronted a couple who were "minding their own business, eating their breakfast."
Manfre's own cell phone footage reportedly shows the man in the baseball cap approaching his table aggressively. The altercation escalated, leading to chairs being thrown. Manfre asserts that the other man initiated the physical confrontation and that he drew his knife only after feeling threatened.
Despite Manfre's claims of self-defense, the Los Angeles Police Department arrested him at the scene. The whereabouts of the other individual involved in the confrontation remain unknown.