Man accused of throwing arrow, threatening employee of popular restaurant in Westmoreland County

HEMPFIELD TOWNSHIP, Pa. — A Youngwood man is facing several charges after he is accused of going on a crime spree in Hempfield Township.

State police arrested Walden Boyer on Friday in the parking lot of Plaza Azteca, where Boyer is accused of throwing an arrow at an employee, chasing him, and threatening to kill him, according to court documents.

State troopers were first called to the intersection of Route 30 and West Hills Drive, where a victim told them he was attacked by a man, later identified as Boyer. He told police Boyer had stopped traffic, and when he tried to drive around, Boyer allegedly rammed the victim’s car. Court documents said Boyer got out of his vehicle, approached the victim, and hit him in the face. He then demanded the victim’s wallet and stated he was going to kill him and others before leaving the area.

State police were then called to the parking lot of Plaza Azteca, where an employee told troopers Boyer was blocking customers from leaving. When the employee went to confront Boyer, that’s when he allegedly got the arrow from his car and started chasing the employee before throwing it at him, according to investigators.

Customers couldn’t believe what troopers said unfolded.

“It’s not an area where people throw arrows or try to hurt each other,” said Angeletta Henry. “I feel like it’s a safe area, it’s a really nice restaurant, and yeah, I’m shocked.”

“[I’m] sort of constantly appalled by the attitudes I see expressed by people in the world these days,” said David Ward. “That’s a shame.”

Channel 11 spoke with Plaza Azteca workers off-camera. They didn’t want to be identified but told us they were shaken up by what unfolded and are relieved to hear the suspect is behind bars.

State police arrested Boyer, who allegedly threatened them as well. Boyer remains in the Westmoreland County Prison.

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