ORLANDO, Fla. -- A 40-year-old Denny's waitress was fatally stabbed in the neck and chest in front of dozens of customers and children at the tourist-filled International Drive restaurant, according to police.

Witnesses said the victim was met by her boyfriend Alejandro Caso, 47, Sunday night in the lobby area of the restaurant located at 7660 International Drive and Sand Lake Road.

Caso approached her and then repeatedly stabbed her with a steak knife before being chased out of the restaurant by other employees, according to witnesses.

Caso dropped the knife and lost a shoe as he fled the scene, police said.

"(The victim) was an employee and she was working on the floor when a Hispanic man walked in and attacked her viciously and intentionally," Orange County sheriff's Capt. Steve Lang said. "When he finished the attack, he was chased out of the restaurant by several people. He got away from those folks. We set up a perimeter but so far, we have not found him yet."

The homicide comes during a crime wave at Orlando's tourist spots, WKMG-TV reported.

Tourists said they were shocked to see the stabbing.

"I had dinner last night here and the lady who got killed was the woman who served my wife and I," Orlando tourist Juan Luis said.

"Even in England we have our problems but unfortunately there is a lot of violence and things like that going on," tourist Karen Wilkins said.

Investigators also said the victim recently obtained a restraining order against Casa but it had not been served.

Anyone with information concerning this crime is urged to call the Orange County Sheriff's Office.

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