An employee fatally stabbed his co-worker in a P.F. Chang’s kitchen Saturday in Peabody, while customers unknowingly ate in the dining room of the Northshore Mall restaurant, according to the Essex Country district attorney’s office.

According to D.A.’s office, Peabody police found Elivelton Dias, 38, suffering from a stab wound in his back at the restaurant. Dias, who lived in Salem, was later pronounced dead at Salem Hospital.

Witnesses said the accused attacker, Jaquan Huston, 23, had fled the restaurant, according to police. Huston was later arrested at his home in Salem and charged with murder.

According to police, both men worked at the restaurant.


Police are not discussing a motive at this time, Essex County district attorney’s office spokeswoman Carrie Kimball-Monahan told Boston.com.

At a press conference Saturday night, Peabody Police Chief Thomas Griffin said the two men knew each other outside of work and happened to be co-workers, according to The Boston Globe.

The incident occurred at the beginning of the Saturday evening dinner rush at the restaurant. Initially, diners continued to eat, oblivious to the drama inside the kitchen.

“I don’t think many people realized what happened,’’ Griffin said. “It was in the kitchen area.’’

Huston will be arraigned Monday morning in Peabody District Court.