A 31-year-old McDonald's worker in New York was stabbed multiple times with a box cutter early Wednesday as he tried to break up a dispute with an unruly customer and his co-workers.

The New York Police Department said the victim heard fighting and came out of the kitchen with a stick. He was stabbed in the chest, neck and arm by a man who was wearing a ski mask, NBC New York reported.

The assailant ran away following the violent fight. He has not been arrested.

The attack in the East Harlem area of Manhattan left a gruesome crime scene of blood scattered from behind the counter all the way to the lobby, according to reports. The victim was immediately taken to the hospital in critical condition and is expected to recover.

McDonald's released a statement Wednesday that it was "shocked and dismayed by this senseless and unprovoked attack on one of our employees."

"The safety of our employees and customers is our top priority. We will continue cooperating with the NYPD and supporting our colleague and friend as they recover," read a statement from the location's operator.

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