Report: Man lunged at Applebee's bartender with meat cleaver after being asked to show COVID vaccination proof

A man is facing charges after authorities said he tried to attack a restaurant worker with a meat cleaver after being asked to show proof of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Investigators believe Michael Dousa, 58, lunged at an Applebee’s bartender with a meat cleaver after he was asked to leave the restaurant when he couldn’t provide proof of vaccination.

The employee shut a door before being hit, avoiding injury. The incident happened at an Applebee's in Bellevue, Washington.

“I don’t think violence is ever the answer,” said Levi Hudson, who was a guest at the restaurant at the time of the incident.

“I don’t think you should be violent because I think that is one of the most ridiculous things you can do," Hudson told KOMO. "You’re not helping people by being violent.”

Dousa was charged with felony assault.