Seven Hospitalized After Incident At Japanese Steak House In Pace

June 11, 2023

The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit is investigating after an incident at Nikko’s Japanese Steak House and Sushi Bar in Pace which sent at least seven people to the hospital on Saturday.

Sheriff Bob Johnson told our news partners at NewsRadio 92.3 that the patrons were poisoned by some type of narcotic, but it was not immediately known if it was accidental or intentional. Johnson did not specify the type of narcotic involved, and he said a suspect has been identified.

The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation has joined the SRSO investigation. The Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco has launched their own independent investigation.

Deputies said at least seven people were receiving treatment at local hospital on Saturday and were expected to fully recover.

“This is an active and ongoing investigation,” Santa Rosa Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Jillian Durkin said. No further details have been released.

Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Comments

9 Responses to “Seven Hospitalized After Incident At Japanese Steak House In Pace”

  1. Swamp Gas on June 14th, 2023 4:36 pm

    Imagine this for a moment. You are sitting around the hibachi table with several strangers you have never met, but are fixing to share a meal with. While the chef is preparing yours and the strangers meal the stranger flicks some elicit drugs undenounced to anyone into the food. Maybe this is actually what happened and the restaurant is getting the bad press for it. I guess we will find out soon hopefully.

  2. terri sanders on June 13th, 2023 8:27 am

    I’m not sure just how the incorporation of a narcotic into someone’s meal could be an accident. There are some crazy people out there…

  3. Joanne Anderson on June 13th, 2023 8:22 am

    It’s a shame an incident like this will destroy a thriving business. Unless the business itself perpetuated the poisoning, I would not hold the business responsible. I’ve eaten there several times with no complaints on food or service. It’s nice to have a little variety of restaurants available around here, but I’m sure after this there will be one less.

  4. GB on June 12th, 2023 11:59 pm

    I have never eaten there, and now l will NOT consider doing so. That’s too many people getting sick from one restaurant regardless of the source. Something most definitely went wrong. This restaurant should closed permanently by the Health Department, or an authority overseeing agency. Otherwise if given a second chance things could be more tragic.

  5. Brett on June 11th, 2023 2:40 pm

    This place has always been a great place to dine. I don’t think the entire company should go down for a single mistake made in it’s many years of operation. Hopefully, the sole person behind all of this will either be caught or this will be ruled as an accident. Best of luck to the Nikkos restaurant owners!

  6. Soobee on June 11th, 2023 2:25 pm

    Sad situation. I hope all will be ok and that there are cameras to show what happened. Fortunately law enforcement was contacted and was able to close this place for further investigation.

  7. anne on June 11th, 2023 9:52 am

    There are 2 annes on this site. Restaurants cannot choose what kind of customers walk through their doors. Not all groups sitting near you in a restaurant are people you would invite to dinner in your own home. I’ve moved to a different table or packed up the food and left when arguments start at other tables. Don’t stick around to see what happens.

  8. tg on June 11th, 2023 9:04 am

    Sushi never good until fried crispy.

  9. Anne on June 11th, 2023 7:45 am

    Never went there and now glad didn’t.
    Will be interesting to get “The rest of the Story”
    Hospitalized by “an incident” in restaurant is not good.
    Could be a cleaning product got into the food or a beverage machine.
    Hope folks get okay

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News