Priest Stabbed Multiple Times at Texas Steakhouse

A night out at a downtown Austin steakhouse turned into a bloody nightmare when a Catholic priest was stabbed multiple times by a restaurant server who allegedly recognized him from church, according to police.

Rev. Jairo Sandoval-Pliego, the pastor of San Jose Catholic Church in South Austin, was dining with parishioners Saturday night at Bob’s Steak & Chop House when the shocking attack unfolded.

According to an arrest affidavit, 45-year-old Edward Koubek greeted the priest earlier in the evening, hugged him, and said he knew him from church. But as Sandoval-Pliego and his group were leaving the restaurant, police say Koubek suddenly attacked.

A witness told investigators they initially thought Koubek was giving the priest another goodbye hug. Moments later, they realized he was stabbing Sandoval-Pliego in the back.

Police said the priest was stabbed four to six times in the back and shoulder.

Austin police were called to the restaurant around 10:26 p.m. Saturday after multiple 911 callers reported a stabbing. When officers arrived, they found blood in the dining room and other parts of the restaurant, along with a knife believed to have been used in the attack.

Koubek was found in an office with blood on his hands and shirt, according to the affidavit.

Another witness tried to restrain Koubek after the stabbing, but restaurant staff reportedly told the person to let him go.

Sandoval-Pliego was taken to Dell Seton Medical Center, where he later told police he recognized Koubek as someone who had previously attended San Jose Catholic Church. The priest said he had not seen him in several months and described their conversation at the restaurant as polite before the attack happened “totally unprovoked,” according to the affidavit.

The Diocese of Austin confirmed Sandoval-Pliego had been at dinner with parishioners when he was attacked. A spokesperson said Monday night that the priest remained hospitalized but was expected to make a full recovery.

Investigators said Koubek told police he had attended San Jose Catholic Church since 2018 and believed Sandoval-Pliego had once snickered after he went to confession. According to the affidavit, Koubek claimed he held a grudge and became upset when he saw the priest at the restaurant.

Police said Koubek admitted he retrieved a knife from the kitchen, paced for 10 to 15 minutes, and then stabbed the priest.

When detectives asked him about his intent, Koubek allegedly said that “in the moment,” it was “to kill him,” according to the affidavit.

Sandoval-Pliego suffered several apparent stab wounds, including one that nicked a blood vessel and required treatment to stop the bleeding. A nurse told officers that without medical care, injuries like that could be fatal, according to police.

Koubek was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, a second-degree felony. As of Tuesday morning, he remained in the Travis County Jail with bail set at $15,000.