A Mission Beach stabbing case that rattled regulars at Moe’s Steakhouse is on hold after a San Diego judge ruled the accused attacker is not mentally fit to stand trial. The criminal case began last September when a bartender was stabbed inside the restaurant, survived, and witnesses say other patrons rushed in to subdue the attacker.
Judge sends suspect to Patton for treatment
In a Jan. 14 ruling, San Diego Superior Court Judge Kristopher Young found 42-year-old Hector Manuel Vasquez II mentally incompetent to be tried after reviewing psychiatric reports. He ordered Vasquez committed to Patton State Hospital for up to two years so clinicians can attempt to restore his competency.
Under the order, doctors at Patton must return Vasquez to San Diego if they determine he has regained competency. If that does not happen within two years, a judge will review his case and decide whether further hospitalization is necessary, according to the Times of San Diego.
Attack inside Moe’s Steakhouse
The attack unfolded around 2 p.m. on Sept. 18, 2025, when Vasquez allegedly slipped in through an unlocked side door at Moe’s Steakhouse and confronted bartender Matt Harden while he was eating lunch. Harden was stabbed seven times and suffered wounds to his face and abdomen before a bystander hit the suspect with a rock, and other patrons grabbed barstools to help subdue him.
Both Harden and the suspect were taken to hospitals. The bartender survived the attack and has been recovering, according to KGTV/ABC 10News.
Charges and halted proceedings
Vasquez is charged with attempted murder and burglary. Prosecutors said at his arraignment that he made statements indicating he intended to kill everyone in the restaurant…