A patron stabbed a 22-year-old Wendy’s employee to death in Nanakuli after an altercation at the restaurant on Sunday morning, according to Honolulu police.

The altercation began shortly before 9:45 a.m. when the employee approached a 60-year-old male customer who was moving furniture around inside the restaurant and asked him to stop, according to police.

An argument ensued, and the 60-year-old man called the employee a derogatory name, police said.

The 22-year-old employee and another 44-year-old employee got the man to exit the store where the argument continued. The 22-year-old employee punched the man, who then stabbed him, according to police. The second employee tried to stop the attack but was also stabbed.

The Honolulu Emergency Services Department said it was called to the Wendy’s at 9:47 a.m. and treated two men with stab wounds.

Police said both men were taken to Queen’s Medical Center West. The 22-year-old victim died of his injures, and the 44-year-old was treated and released.

The 60-year-old suspect was arrested at 9:55 a.m. on suspicion of second-degree murder, first-degree attempted murder and second-degree attempted murder. Charges will be sought with the Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office, according to police.

Police did not release his name, but an arrest log shows a 60-year-old man named Reynaldo Cheney was arrested at the restaurant’s address Sunday morning.

Court records show Cheney was issued a criminal citation in May for having a tent in a public park. No attorney was listed for him.

He remained in police custody as of 6:30 p.m. Sunday, according to HPD.

Cotti Foods, the franchisee that owns and operates the Nanakuli Wendy’s, said in a statement that it was working with law enforcement to assist with the investigation and providing counseling resources to its employees. The restaurant will remain closed until further notice.

“The safety of our customers and employees is our highest priority, and we are deeply shocked and saddened by this senseless and tragic incident,” the statement says.

Police spokeswoman Michelle Yu did not respond to a request for further information. 

Police officials have been focusing on addressing violence on West Oahu after several shootings in August and September. That included one on Waianae Valley Road that left four people dead, including the initial attacker.

The bloodshed has drawn attention to longstanding community concerns such as crime, homelessness and a need for better city services.

Honolulu Police Chief Joe Logan said on Sept. 17 that dozens of reserve officers would be assigned to the district, which stretches from Ewa Beach to Kaena Point, to be present in hot spot areas, such as beach parks, the Waianae Boat Harbor and shopping centers. 

The district is usually staffed with 19-23 full-time officers per shift, according to Mayor Rick Blangiardi.

But community leaders say an increased police presence isn’t enough and are calling for more resources to be invested in the area, including through youth programs, mental health services and upgrades to local parks.

Not including Sunday’s stabbing, the Honolulu Police Department has recorded nine murders and non-negligent manslaughters in the district so far this year, according to HPD’s data dashboard.