“Handle the Situation”: Virginia Woman Allegedly Ordered Husband to Stab Pizza Worker Over “Botched Order”
( Image: Norfolk City Jail)
A Virginia couple is facing serious charges after an altercation at a Mod Pizza restaurant in Norfolk led to a horrific stabbing incident. Catherine Harper, 45, allegedly directed her husband, Corey Harper, 47, to stab a 24-year-old employee during a heated dispute over a “botched” pizza order.
According to police reports, the incident began with Catherine Harper arguing with the worker before making a phone call to her husband. She reportedly told him to “handle the situation.” Corey Harper arrived at the scene and attacked the employee, stabbing them multiple times.
Court documents obtained by local NBC affiliate WAVY described the brutal assault. “The Victim was stabbed several times, in the back, in the front, and one long cut across the torso exposing the Victim’s intestines,” the report stated. After the attack, the Harpers fled the scene.
Both Catherine and Corey Harper were arrested and arraigned in Norfolk General District Court. Corey faces felony charges of malicious wounding and brandishing a firearm, while Catherine is charged with conspiracy to commit malicious wounding. The couple is being held without bond and is scheduled to appear in court on January 1.
Mod Pizza released a statement condemning the violent act, emphasizing their dismay over the altercation. “We were dismayed to learn about an argument inside our Norfolk-area Lake Wright restaurant involving one of our employees and two guests,” a spokesperson said. “The altercation resulted in one of our MOD squad members being hospitalized and the arrest of one of the guests.”
The company expressed its commitment to the employee’s recovery and pledged to cooperate fully with authorities. “While our team member recuperates in the hospital, we are conducting our due diligence and will make a well-thought-out decision about this situation,” the statement read.
Mod Pizza reaffirmed its zero-tolerance policy for escalating conflicts and acknowledged the need for reflection in the wake of the incident. “Moments like these force organizations to re-examine employee training and look for ways to reinforce values and expectations,” the company stated.
The victim remains hospitalized, and the attack has raised concerns about workplace safety and conflict resolution in service industries. As the investigation continues, the case serves as a tragic reminder of how minor disputes can spiral into extreme violence.
