Bogotá bakery owner María Quevedo attacked by former employee

On the night of 23 July, María Quevedo, owner of the Rü Pâtisserie bakery in Usaquén, northern Bogotá, was violently assaulted by a former employee after a dispute over her payment of his severance. Security footage shows the man repeatedly striking her, pulling her by the hair and dragging her through the shop for more than three minutes, delivering over 80 blows that caused a broken nose, multiple lacerations, significant hair loss and a 20‑day medical leave.

Police captured the attacker in the act, but he was later released, sparking nationwide outrage. Bogotá Mayor Carlos Fernando Galán called the release “unjust” and urged the prosecutor to treat the case as an attempted femicide and to keep the suspect in custody. Authorities are also investigating whether the attacker provided false documents to obtain the job. The investigation continues as the victim receives ongoing medical care.