NY cops: Man stabs random child 5 times at eatery

WESTBURY, N.Y. – Police say a man carrying a hunting knife crept up behind an 8-year-old boy playing a video game in a New York restaurant and plunged a 4-inch blade into his back five times.

Police say Evan Sachs picked the boy out at random and stabbed him five times in the back Friday night at a Dave and Buster's in Westbury on Long Island.

Newsday says Sachs was arraigned Saturday on attempted murder and other charges, pleaded not guilty, and was being held without bail. The 23-year-old Merrick man has also been placed on suicide watch.

The boy had suffered a punctured lung and was listed in stable condition. He is expected to recover.

Newsday says Sachs' attorney told the judge that his client is under psychiatric care and that his medications had recently been changed.

Sachs is due in court again Wednesday.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

WESTBURY, N.Y. (AP) — Police say a man carrying a hunting knife crept up behind an 8-year-old boy playing a video game in a New York restaurant and plunged a 4-inch blade into his back five times.

The boy suffered a punctured lung in the assault just before 8:30 p.m. Friday in a Westbury shopping mall on Long Island. He is expected to recover.

The attack happened at Dave and Buster's, a family friendly chain restaurant that includes an arcade.

Police say the boy's father and a witness grabbed the suspect as he walked toward a restroom and held him until officers arrived.

The 23-year-old suspect is set for arraignment Saturday on charges including attempted murder.

Nassau County Police detective Lt. Kevin Smith says the suspect appeared to have chosen his victim at random.