The pastor of an Austin Catholic church was stabbed several times Saturday night at a downtown steakhouse after a restaurant server who recognized him from church attacked him as he was leaving, according to police.
The Rev. Jairo Sandoval-Pliego was dining with parishioners at Bob’s Steak & Chop House downtown when the alleged attacker — who earlier greeted him and said he knew him from church — stabbed him four to six times in the back and shoulder as the group was leaving, according to an arrest affidavit.
Edward Koubek, 45, was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, a second-degree felony.
The Diocese of Austin confirmed Sandoval-Pliego is the pastor of San Jose Catholic Church in South Austin. A diocese spokesperson said he had been at dinner with parishioners at the time of the attack.
The diocese said Monday night that Sandoval-Pliego remained hospitalized but is expected to make a full recovery.
Austin police responded to the restaurant about 10:26 p.m. Saturday after multiple 911 callers reported a stabbing, according to the affidavit.
One witness told investigators that Koubek hugged Sandoval-Pliego before dinner after saying he knew him from church. As the group was leaving, the witness initially believed Koubek was saying goodbye with another hug before realizing he was stabbing the priest in the back, according to the affidavit.
Another witness tried to restrain Koubek before restaurant staff instructed him to let go, investigators said.
Officers reported finding blood in the dining room and other parts of the restaurant, along with a knife believed to have been used in the attack. Police found Koubek in an office with blood on his hands and shirt, according to the affidavit.
Sandoval-Pliego later told an officer at Dell Seton Medical Center that Koubek had previously attended San Jose Catholic Church but that he had not seen him in several months. He described their conversation at the restaurant as polite before Koubek attacked him “totally unprovoked,” according to the affidavit.
During an interview with police, Koubek said he had attended San Jose Catholic Church since 2018 and believed Sandoval-Pliego had snickered after he went to confession, investigators wrote. Koubek said he had held a grudge and became upset when he saw the priest at the restaurant.
According to the affidavit, Koubek admitted retrieving a knife from the kitchen, pacing for 10 to 15 minutes and stabbing Sandoval-Pliego. When asked about his intent, Koubek told detectives it was, “in the moment,” “to kill him.”
Police said Sandoval-Pliego suffered four to six apparent stab wounds to his back and shoulder, including one that nicked a blood vessel and required treatment to stop the bleeding. A nurse told officers that without medical intervention, someone with those injuries could die, according to the affidavit.
As of Tuesday morning, Koubek remained in the Travis County Jail on a $15,000 bond.