A 20-year-old man in Southern California used a spatula to confront a woman wielding a large stick inside an In-N-Out restaurant in Lake Elsinore early Wednesday morning, authorities and witnesses reported.

The incident occurred around 1 a.m. when Luca Opperman was picking up his order at the drive-through, according to his account. While waiting at the second window, he heard loud banging noises and saw a woman striking the counter with what he described as a “baseball bat-sized stick,” similar to a tree branch. The woman subsequently breached a folding latch separating the lobby from the kitchen and advanced toward employees who had retreated to a back room.

Opperman said he jumped through the window, grabbing the closest item he could find—a spatula—to confront the woman. He exchanged blows with her as she swung the stick at him and at one point executed a shoulder check, allowing him to seize the stick from her.

Riverside County Sheriff’s deputies arrived shortly thereafter and detained the woman outside the restaurant without incident, Lt. Deirdre Vickers, a sheriff’s public information officer, said. No injuries were reported. The suspect, identified as 53-year-old Antonieta Sanchez of Redlands, was booked into the Southwest Detention Center on suspicion of felony vandalism and brandishing a weapon.

Opperman, a college student who has experience with freestyle trampolining, parkour, and rugby, credited those skills with helping him act quickly during the confrontation. He said his background in fast food also motivated him to intervene on behalf of the employees.

“I know In-N-Out employees get paid decent, but they don’t get paid well enough to get attacked by a crazy lady with a stick,” Opperman said. “It’s something where I’ve got to stand up for my fellow brothers.”

A bystander at the scene captured the incident on video and posted it on social media, where it has garnered widespread attention with thousands of likes and comments praising Opperman’s actions. In-N-Out chief operating officer Denny Warnick thanked the customer for his quick thinking and bravery in a statement, noting the company’s appreciation for his selfless response.

Despite the attention, Opperman remained modest, stating that his actions were more about being “in the right place at the right time” than any special training.