Man charged in fatal stabbing of customer outside TGI Fridays in Linden

🚨A man died after being stabbed multiple times outside the TGI Fridays in Linden

🚨Security video captured a chaotic confrontation

🚨Court records show the accused killer was arrested more than a month later

LINDEN — A Burlington County man was charged with fatally stabbing a customer at a TGI Fridays in November.

Darnell Robinson, 41, of Wrightstown, was charged with first-degree murder, third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and fourth-degree unlawful possession of a weapon. Court records show Robinson was arrested on Dec. 11.

On Nov. 9, police found Erik Kuns, 35, of Keyport, lying unresponsive on the ground outside the restaurant along Routes 1&9 in Linden around 10 p.m., according to Union County Prosecutor William Daniel.

Kuns was pronounced dead at University Hospital in Newark.

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Surveillance video details violent moments before stabbing

Police said that security video and witnesses show Kuns got into an argument with the restaurant manager. Robinson intervened and the two went outside, where the dispute turned physical and the men assaulted each other.

Video showed Kuns on top of Robinson, punching him multiple times. A woman joined the fight and removed Kuns' shirt. Kuns got up and Robinson punched him "numerous times" in the face, according to police.

The autopsy revealed that Kuns was stabbed multiple times, including in the chest, in the lower right abdomen, and his right forearm. The wound to the chest damaged the aorta, the main artery of the body, the autopsy revealed.

According to his obituary, Kuns was an "adoring uncle who loved every minute he got to spend with his beloved nieces." He also enjoyed sports, and was a member of the Dockworker's Timberman Union Local 1556.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The headline on an earlier version of this story should have said the victim was involved in an argument with the manager.

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