Man Pleads to Stabbing Employee at Santa Monica Pier Burger

A homeless man has pleaded to stabbing a Santa Monica Pier restaurant employee multiple times, after demanding food last summer, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office announced today.

Calvin Earl Gullett, 34, entered no contest pleas yesterday to two counts of assault with a deadly weapon, a knife, and one count of second-degree robbery in case SA093841. Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Mark Windham immediately sentenced Gullett to 20 years in state prison.

Deputy District Attorney Morgan Mallory said Gullett also admitted inflicting great bodily injury on one victim and admitted to a March 2016 prior conviction of criminal threats.

On Sept. 7, 2016, Gullett entered a Santa Monica Pier Burger just before 11 am. He stabbed an employee and chased others with a knife, the prosecutor said. The suspect demanded food from the employees. The suspect was denied service. The suspect proceeded to walk into the kitchen area of the restaurant and assault an employee with a knife.

The victim was struck multiple times. The suspect attempted to attack another victim/employee but did not strike the second victim. The suspect fled the area. Officers responded to the area and located the suspect on the beach/sand just north of the Pier deck. The suspect did not comply with officers and a Taser was deployed to make an arrest. The suspect was taken in to custody and evidence of the crime was located nearby.

The victim was treated at the scene by Santa Monica Fire Department Paramedics. The victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment to his injuries. The victim is still hospitalized but in stable condition, said Lt. Saul Rodriguez, spokesman for the Santa Monica Police Department