A caricature artist who had recently been fired allegedly attempted to murder his former manager on New Year’s Day at Universal Studios Orlando, where they were working at the time.

Upon learning on December 31 that he would be dismissed, Frederick Torres, 33, called Fasen Artists, the Orlando-based talent management firm with which he held a contract to work at Universal Studios. According to Yahoo! News, he informed general manager Anthony Fasen that if he was fired, he was going to kill his manager, 42-year-old artist Glenn Ferguson.

“I’m going to slit Glenn’s throat,” Torres allegedly told Fasen during the phone call. “I’m going to kill your number-one artist.”

On the morning on January 1, Torres stabbed Ferguson in his head and neck using a pair of scissors, cutting an artery and causing brain leakage. Ferguson was hospitalized immediately following the attack. The Orlando Sentinel reports that Ferguson underwent surgery, and doctors told police that he had a 50 percent chance of survival. His current condition is unknown.

“Was there any indication that this could possibly happen in the universe, at this time under any circumstances?” asked president Stephen Fasen. “The answer is no.”

Torres is being charged with attempted murder. He is currently being held in an Orange County prison without bail.

Witnesses say they watched Torres chase Ferguson through the park prior to the attack. Two security guards attempted to break up the tussle, but not before Ferguson was struck several times.

Glenn Ferguson.
Photo: GoFundMe.

Tom Schroder, a spokesman for Universal Studios, has confirmed that both men were contractors with Fasen Artists, and not park employees. Fasen Artists contracts with several theme parks and entertainment venues across the country.

A GoFundMe page has been established to help cover Ferguson’s medical bills, and has raised over $41,000 in just three days.

“Glenn’s cartoons, caricatures, and illustrations have gone all over the world,” reads a statement on the page. “If you are reading this and have a piece of Glenn’s artwork, think about donating an amount to reflect the joy that artwork has given you.”