Paterson Police Arrest 3 Men Caught on Tape in Machete Attack

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Police said Wednesday they’ve arrested the trio caught on tape attacking two people, including chopping at one victim with a machete. {snip}

The incident took place on Sept. 10 at the U.S. Chicken restaurant at 194 Straight St. Police said the “vicious assault” began just before 4 a.m.

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“Both attacks were unprovoked, as far as we could see. Nothing was taken in the second attack,” [Police Capt. Heriberto] Rodriguez told CBSNewYork.

In the first case, the victim, seen on the video wearing a white shirt with a black insignia on the top left corner, was attempting to walk out of the restaurant when he was confronted by two men in the doorway. While they talk, police say Omar Villota, 22, comes up behind him and pistol whips him in the back of the head. The trio tumble into the street.

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A few minutes later, the group comes tumbling back into the restaurant, this time struggling with a second victim. The second victim is seen on tape being repeatedly punched in the face, allegedly by 20-year-old Johel Gomez. Police said Tyree Seegers, 22, then started hacking at the second victim with a machete.

According to police, Seegers is seen on the tape hacking at the victim at least 14 times with the machete. During one of his swings, he chops into Villota, who is continually pistol-whipping the victim. Seegers nearly severs Villota’s right arm, leaving a blood trail that the cops used to track them down.

As the victim lays apparently unconscious on the ground, Gomez allegedly kicks him in the head.

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Amazingly, despite the intensity of the punches, kicking and hacking with the machete, the second victim is not seriously hurt, police say.

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Rodriguez said the reason the victim is still alive is because Seegers was lousy with the machete.

“The one time he swung it straight and effectively, he hit his own counterpart, his owns friend,” Rodriguez said.

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