Philly Cheesesteak Fight Leads to Pizzeria Worker’s Brutal Death

A man could be facing murder charges after the death of a restaurant worker who confronted him for eating a cheesesteak from another nearby restaurant at the pizzeria’s outdoor tables.

The 34-year-old employee Brian Adams was punched in the head twice on April 27 outside Big Ass Slices Bar & Grill, the Philadelphia Police Department told Newsweek.

Th pizzeria employee was hospitalized with critical injuries, including bleeding from the brain, and died 10 days later. Cops said the dispute between Adams and Demier Klevitch-Gay started as a verbal argument before escalating into a physical altercation.

Klevitch-Gay, 29, was arrested for aggravated assault in Albany on May 17. Murder charges may be added after the medical examiner determines Adams’ cause of death, police said. Officials said Klevitch-Gay allegedly “became irate” and also threatened and punched a 53-year-old employee.

Newsweek reached out to Big Ass Slices Bar & Grill for comment.

Incident Caught on Security Footage

Two men are seen leaving Sonny’s, a cheesesteak shop two doors away, on security camera footage obtained by The Philadelphia Inquirer. The men sit down at a table outside of Big Ass Slices with their food.

Both restaurants are on Market Street in Philadelphia’s Old City district.

Jeff Bergman, the owner of Big Ass Slices, is seen speaking to the two men. One man leaves and goes back to Sonny’s.

Bergman then speaks to the man who is still sitting outside before heading back into the restaurant and returning with Adams.

When Adams reaches for the man’s cheesesteak, a fight breaks out. Footage shows the man punching Adams several times and tries to punch Bergman who flips over the table, goes inside and returns with a bat.

The confrontation ended after Adams passed out.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is also investigating. Newsweek reached out to OSHA for comment but did not hear back immediately.

Loved Ones Remember Brian Adams

Brian’s father, Bob Adams, told the Inquirer his son was just trying to do his job.

“He was a sweet guy,” Bob Adams said. “He was not a fighter. He was not hired as bouncer there.”

Christina Holland, general manager at Sonny’s, said the restaurant industry was Adams’ “calling.”

Adams, who was engaged, started working in the restaurant industry after a stint as a middle school teacher. He worked at Sonny’s for four years before getting a job as a cook and a cashier at Big Ass Slices.