Buffalo woman charged after pepper spray incident at Longhorn Steakhouse

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A Buffalo woman was arrested and charged after allegedly deploying pepper spray last month at the Longhorn Steakhouse in Cheektowaga, police announced Monday.

Jnaya Johnson, 23, was charged with third-degree assault, endangering the welfare of a child and unlawfully possessing a noxious material.

The target of the pepper spray was an adult woman, police said, but a 3-month-old baby was exposed and sent to the hospital. Several other people were also exposed to the spray.

On Aug. 25, police received reports of a fight just before 9 p.m. According to an investigation, a verbal argument ensued between two women who were with two separate groups of people.

Police said the two women were arguing near the front vestibule when Johnson walked toward the front of the restaurant and allegedly sprayed the substance into the face of the woman who was arguing with her friend. She reportedly did so without warning or being provoked.

The baby was transported to the hospital for difficulty breathing and the woman who was targeted was sent to the hospital for evaluation and cleanup.

Johnson was released on an appearance ticket, per New York State law.