Jimmy John's employee in critical condition after argument over service dog turns violent

A Jimmy John’s employee was brutally beaten by two men Sunday at the Downtown Pittsburgh sandwich shop after an argument over petting employee’s service dog, according to police.

Police said video surveillance shows Tyree Blue-Murphy and Damon Robinson stomping, kicking, punching and striking the defenseless victim with a bicycle tire, leaving him with severe injuries to his head and body.

The worker remained at UPMC Mercy in critical condition as of Tuesday morning.

A UPMC surgeon said the victim is expected to survive, despite suffering from brain bleeding, police relayed in a criminal complaint.

Blue-Murphy, 33, and Robinson, 31, both of Pittsburgh, have been charged with aggravated assault and criminal conspiracy.

Following the alleged incident, police said they found the men near the Penn Avenue sandwich shop with blood on their clothes matching the description given to officers.

Police said Murphy told them he got into an argument over petting the service dog, and claimed that’s when the worker grabbed him by his dreadlocks, the complaint states.

Officers said Robinson said he attempted to break up the fight but was struck and began to attack the victim in response.

Neither defendant had an attorney listed in court documents.

The pair have yet to receive a preliminary hearing date.