BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A man is recovering from multiple stab wounds after a co-worker reportedly attacked him at an Applebee’s in the town of Niagara. A family member of the victim is speaking out, saying she’s frustrated by how the situation played out.

At around 3 p.m. on Oct. 1, officers received a call about a stabbing at Applebee’s on Military Road in the town of Niagara. Police said 34-year-old Sam Keesler of Niagara Falls, an Applebee’s employee, randomly stabbed another employee with a knife in the kitchen.

The family of the victim has identified him to NewsNation affiliate WIVB as Gregory Moore. Moore’s sister, Kimmissie Moore said the two men never had any issues with one another.

“They used to take cigarette breaks together,” Moore said. “They’ve never gotten into any altercations. There was never any bad blood between the two.”

Kimmissie Moore said she’s shocked something like this happened to her brother. She claims Applebee’s management mishandled the situation.

“He was begging for help,” Moore said. “He was literally asking the manager that was on duty to help him, but they didn’t.”

Moore said her brother is still in the hospital. He fortunately did not have to undergo any major surgery after being stabbed multiple times.

Keesler was charged with second-degree assault, but Moore believes he got off easy.

“By the grace of God my brother will be OK, and he will eventually heal from his wounds,” Moore said. “We don’t know how bad the trauma is going to impact his mental state. But how did you just get a slap on the hand with that?”

Niagara County Sheriff Michael Filicetti said the second-degree assault charge was based on the seriousness of the injuries and the fact that Gregory Moore is expected to recover. Filicetti said he would not rule out more charges in the future.

Trina Catterson joined the News 4 team in 2024. She previously worked at WETM-TV in Elmira, a sister station of WIVB. See more of her work here.