#USA #TX – A Catholic priest was seriously injured Saturday night when a restaurant server stabbed him multiple times as he left a downtown steakhouse, according to Austin police and court records.
Rev. Jairo Sandoval-Pliego, pastor of San Jose Catholic Church in South Austin, was dining with parishioners at Bob’s Steak & Chop House on Lavaca Street around 10:30 p.m. on June 27 when the attack occurred. As the group prepared to leave, server Edward Koubek, 45, approached Sandoval-Pliego, greeted him, and referenced knowing him from church. Koubek then allegedly stabbed the priest four to six times in the back and shoulder area with a kitchen knife.
Witnesses intervened to restrain Koubek, who briefly broke free before running toward the rear of the restaurant. Officers responding to multiple 911 calls found Sandoval-Pliego suffering from multiple stab wounds and quickly located and arrested Koubek inside the business without further incident. Hospital staff later told investigators the wounds could have been fatal without prompt medical intervention.
Koubek admitted to police that he paced for 10 to 15 minutes before the assault and stated his intention in the moment was “to kill him.” He had attended San Jose Catholic Church starting around 2018 but had not been seen there in recent months, according to the victim.
Sandoval-Pliego was transported to a local hospital, where he remained hospitalized as of Tuesday. The Diocese of Austin confirmed he was expected to make a full recovery.
Koubek faces a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, a second-degree felony. A judge set bail at approximately $15,000–$18,000 and ordered him to have no contact with Sandoval-Pliego, the church, or the restaurant.
Police continue to investigate the motive behind the apparently targeted attack as of Tuesday evening.
Image: Rev. Jairo Sandoval-Pliego seen at San Jose Catholic Church prior to the incident that occurred on June 27th.
