Queens pizzeria owner, father honored as heroes for trying to stop attack on Asian American woman

The 37-year-old owner of a pizzeria in Queens, New York City, and his 68-year-old father were honored for their bravery and heroism at an event last week.

Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY), presented Louie Suljovic with a proclamation and certificate of congressional recognition for trying to save Eun Hee Chang, 61, from three robbers on March 26.

“Without hesitation and without thinking twice, they sprang into action — putting themselves in harm’s way to save her,” Meng said at a special ceremony on Friday honoring Suljovic and his father, Cazim. “They are true heroes, and I and so many throughout Queens and the rest of New York City just want to say thank you, and salute their selflessness and bravery.”

Suljovic and his father were stabbed while trying to save Chang from a violent robbery outside their establishment, Louie’s Pizzeria, on March 26. Suljovic and Chang were both stabbed once during the confrontation, while Suljovic’s father was stabbed nine times. The two Good Samaritans reportedly suffered punctured lungs as a result.

Chang did not notice she was stabbed until someone pointed out a wound on her back. She reportedly went back to work the day after the incident.

Suljovic and his father managed to hold down two of the robbers until authorities arrived. Robert Whack, 30, and Supreme Gooding, 18, were subsequently arrested, but the other suspect remains at large.

“We are tremendously proud of them, and will never forget the sacrifices they made to their own safety in order to help a fellow New Yorker,” Meng said.

“Not all heroes wear capes, but you and your dad are heroes,” Queens Borough President Donovan Richards said during the special event.

A GoFundMe campaign with a $75,000 goal started for Suljovic and his father last week has raised over $725,000, as of this writing. A similar campaign started for Chang has so far raised over $88,000.

“Louie was released from the hospital late last week and is doing well at home,” the campaigns’ organizer wrote in an update yesterday. “Cazim is unfortunately still in the hospital and will face a longer road to recovery.”

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