Former restaurant employee faces attempted murder in Santa Rosa cleaver attack

(KRON) — A man returned to his former restaurant job in the North Bay Wednesday morning to severely injure a current employee with a cleaver and threaten others before fleeing, said the Santa Rosa Police Department.

SRPD said its officers responded to the incident at 11:40 a.m. at a restaurant in the 2700 block of Yulupa Avenue. When police arrived at the scene, they found the victim suffering from “severe head and arm injuries.” They were taken to a local hospital where they are listed in critical condition.

Police said witness tips led them to locate the suspect — identified as Li Zhiqing, 39 — at a nearby park where he was arrested after trying to outrun officers.

The cleaver allegedly used in the assault was recovered near the crime scene by police.

Santa Rosa police confirmed that Zhiqing was booked into the Sonoma County Jail where he faces charges of attempted murder, criminal threats and mayhem.

Despite the arrest, this remains an active case. Anyone with information is asked contact SRPD through its online tip line.