Sixty-year-old Johor resident Ng Thang Kheong, proprietor of Seaport Buffet restaurant on Emmons Avenue in Brooklyn, sustained severe injuries in the unprovoked attack on Tuesday.

Ng is being treated at the NYU Langone Medical Centre, according to reports in the US media.

A restaurant employee, chef Fufai Pun, died from his injuries in the same attack, and manager Tsz Mat Pun is also in critical condition, NST reported.

According to US daily New York Post, the incident took place on Jan 15 at around 5:15pm when the eatery was filled with customers.

Witnesses recalled that a man had barged into the restaurant and started hitting staff members on their heads with a hammer.

The 34-year-old suspect was later identified as Arthur Martunovich, who reportedly shouted “bizarre things” as people rushed out of the restaurant amid the commotion.

The New York Post reported that the suspect tried fleeing to the parking lot but that police nabbed him soon after.

Under custody, the suspect reportedly told police that a Chinese film in which “men were mistreating women” inspired him to launch the attack.

NST quoted a law enforcement officer as saying that “(Martunovich) had problems with Asian men.”

He has been charged with murder, attempted murder, and criminal possession of a weapon, and is expected to undergo psychiatric evaluation.

While the restaurant remains shut, the Chinese media reported that hospital staff were unsure if they should continue Ng’s life support system.

Ng doesn’t have his family in the US.