A Florida man is facing multiple felony charges after authorities say he stormed into a Chinese restaurant armed with a shovel, claiming he was on a mission to stop the spread of COVID-19.
According to an arrest affidavit out of Orange County obtained by Fox 13, Richard Jarvis allegedly entered Pearl’s Chinese Restaurant and began smashing parts of the kitchen, causing significant property damage.
Investigators say the situation escalated when the restaurant’s owner was struck during the incident. Jarvis was later taken into custody and charged with aggravated battery, assault, and burglary.
Witnesses described a chaotic scene. Vanessa Trejo, who had just finished eating at the restaurant, said the attack unfolded quickly. “The guy had like a shovel, and he was swinging it and hitting them,” she said, recalling the moment the violence broke out.
Deputies say Jarvis attempted to justify his actions with a conspiracy-driven explanation. According to the report, he told law enforcement, “I had to destroy that restaurant. All Chinese restaurants are going to release a new strain of Covid on July 6th. I am a prophet; I’m trying to save everyone.”
There is no evidence supporting those claims.
According to the Mayo Clinic, COVID-19 is caused by SARS-CoV-2, a respiratory virus first identified in 2019. Health experts have consistently stated that the virus spreads primarily through person-to-person transmission, particularly via respiratory droplets. It is not transmitted through food or restaurant operations.
Incidents like this echo a broader pattern that emerged during the early stages of the pandemic, when, according to The Takeout, Asian-owned businesses across the United States reported increased harassment tied to misinformation about the virus. Despite repeated public health guidance, some individuals falsely linked the presence of COVID-19 to Chinese or Asian establishments.
In the aftermath of the attack, businesses in the same plaza are taking additional precautions. Trejo said some local restaurant owners are reconsidering basic safety measures, including keeping doors locked. “Now we’re trying to take different precautions… because he walked in through the front,” she explained.
Community members have also expressed concern for the long-term impact on the restaurant owner. Clifton Hall, another local, pointed to the lingering fear such incidents can create. “Every customer that comes in his door potentially could be a threat to him,” he said.
At the same time, neighbors say they are stepping up to support the business and its staff following the incident, with multiple 911 calls placed during the attack and increased awareness among nearby storefronts.
Jarvis remains in custody as the case moves forward.