Innocent man, 30, left paralyzed from waist down after stranger ran up and stabbed him while he enjoyed dinner at restaurant with wife

DAILYMAIL.COM • 55m ago

By ALYSSA GUZMAN, US NEWS REPORTER 22:14 09 Oct 2026, updated 22:37 09 Oct 2026

An innocent man who was stabbed while eating at one of his favorite restaurants with his wife remains paralyzed two years later.

Dan Walker, then 30, was dining at the Raccoon Taproom in Collingswood, New Jersey, in February 2025 with his wife and friends when he was attacked by an mentally-ill man, his father-in-law said on X on Thursday.

The knifeman came into the restaurant and started harassing customers. Dan and Brenna tried to ignore the man, but as he was about to leave, he ran up to the husband and stabbed him in the back, ‘severing his spine,’ the father-in-law said.

Dan was taken to the hospital after the attack left him paralyzed from the chest down.

Over the summer, Dan underwent multiple surgeries, stayed in the ICU, and suffered from infections, the father-in-law said.

And now, next Friday, the 31-year-old will get screws removed from his left leg and will undergo a total hip replacement, as he still deals with the aftermath of the severe attack, the father-in-law said.

Tahaa Elmogahzy, 28, was arrested for the stabbing after he fled the scene.

The father-in-law said Elmogahzy is still sitting in county jail, awaiting trial.

He copped several charges, including first-degree attempted murder, ABC 6 said.

‘It feels shocking that we’re in this situation,’ Dan’s friend, Marcus Lotierzo, told the outlet at the time.

On Dan’s Help Hope Live fundraiser, the family frequently posts videos of the 31-year-old learning on to walk again with the help of mobility aids.

Prior to the attack, the Philadelphia Eagles fan was very active in the gym and had been training for a Strongman Competition.

After, he was told he would more than likely never walk again. But the determined husband has regained some of his ability to walk through physical therapy, videos showed.

Seven months after the attack, he was able to leg press 300 pounds, his family said.

In July, the family started the first Dan Walker Classic golf tournament, which helps the family pay for his rehab.

The Daily Mail has reached out to the family for comment.

Farmer who was renowned for sharing his business struggles dies aged 35 after starrring role on BBC…

Boy, 15, and father are fighting for their lives in hospital after being stabbed by masked men who…

Celebrity plastic surgeon is executed in front of customers in Marbella clinic after ‘threats from a…

King pays Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s £1.5million bill to repair Royal Lodge – after former prince…

Kate and William wow the crowds as they charm royal fans on surprise visit to Belfast

‘She is very conscious about how she wants pictures to land’: Inside THAT lunch between Meghan and…

Moment ‘sexually obsessed killer stepdad’ arrives at 19-year-old university student’s halls of…

‘Traveller’ burglary squad strikes again: Terrifying moment balaclava-clad gang linked to 50…

Houthis ‘destroy Saudi passenger jet’ killing pilot at Riyadh’s international airport as Iran-backed…

Father had e-bike battery repaired before it sparked house fire that killed his two young children…

Student riots spread to Belgium as hundreds of hooded protesters clash with police sparking ‘total…

Harry was paid ‘up to $100K’ for coping with grief ‘masterclass’: Prince pocketed fee as a…

British mother who broke her back in Greece when car slammed into her quadbike is left with £28,000…

Burnham’s government hits out at Hegseth’s ‘disturbing’ plan to livestream firing squad execution -…

Meghan, Harry and the children WON’T stay in UK for Christmas with King Charles – heading back to…

Mother of 11-year-old girl found dead in village park suffering ‘every parent’s worst nightmare’

Man left paralyzed after stranger stabbed him while at restaurantComments are subject to our House rules and TermsNewest{{#isModerationStatus}}{{moderationStatus}}

No one seems to have shared their thoughts on this topic yetLeave a comment so your voice will be heard first.

{{upVotes}}{{downVotes}}{{#replies.comments}}{{^isLast}}{{initials}}{{userAlias}}, United Kingdom, {{formattedDateAndTime}}{{message}}

{{upVotes}}{{downVotes}}{{/isLast}}{{#isLast}}{{initials}}{{userAlias}}, United Kingdom, {{formattedDateAndTime}}{{message}}

{{upVotes}}{{downVotes}}{{/isLast}}{{/replies.comments}}{{/replies.totalCount}}{{^replies.totalCount}}{{initials}}{{userAlias}}, United Kingdom, {{formattedDateAndTime}}{{message}}

{{upVotes}}{{downVotes}}{{/replies.totalCount}}{{/isComment}}The opinions and views expressed in the comments section are solely those of the individual users and do not represent or reflect the opinions, views, or positions of MailOnline. MailOnline does not endorse, support, or verify the accuracy of any user-generated content.Terms|Privacy|FeedbackOldest{{#isModerationStatus}}{{moderationStatus}}