Fork toss could lead to prison time for Oak Harbor man

An Oak Harbor man could be facing more than five years in prison after allegedly attacking his nephew with a fork.

An Oak Harbor man could be facing more than five years in prison after allegedly attacking his nephew with a fork.

On July 19, Dong Sheng Lin, 52, was charged in Island County Superior Court with assault with a deadly weapon, harassment, obstructing or intimidating a witness, and violation of a court order.

According to a report filed by Oak Harbor Police Officer Jennifer Porter, Lin was taken into custody at about 2 a.m. on July 15 following an alleged scuffle with his nephew, Lam Yan, 34, at the Jumbo Buffet in Oak Harbor.

Lin, whose wife is part owner of the restaurant, worked at Jumbo Buffet but quit his job there about a month ago, according to witness statements in the report. Porter wrote that Lin supposedly showed up late Wednesday evening and pushed Yan, who works as the restaurant manager, over issues concerning money and his former position.

According to the report, Yan ran into the parking lot and was allegedly pursued by Lin, who twice threw a large fork at him.

“Yan stated the fork did not hit him because he kept running,” Porter wrote.

The report goes on to say that Lin also threw a rock and possibly a kitchen knife at Yan while making threats to kill him. The handle of a knife was later recovered by police in the parking lot, but the blade was never found.

Lin then reportedly went back into the restaurant and broke the cash register before going home. He was arrested just a few hours later.

However, Lin was taken into custody a second time later that same day for allegedly violating a newly issued domestic violence no-contact order.

At about 3 p.m., Lin supposedly returned to Jumbo Buffet, walking into the kitchen and saying an employee’s name before turning around to leave. On his way out, he allegedly told Yan’s wife, restaurant owner Susan Lam, “beware of your life.” Lin was arrested at his home a short time later.