A 12-year old boy was stabbed in the neck at a Pittsburgh area McDonald’s on Saturday afternoon, according to a report by KDKA.
The child was with his family in the McDonald’s on Saturday just after 2:00 p.m., standing in line, when Charles Edward Turner, 51, lunged, tackled and then stabbed him in one motion, unexpectedly. A family member reportedly bit Turner, causing him to bleed while others pulled him off the child and attempted to restrain him. Onlookers assisted, including two McDonald’s employees. However, Turner broke free and left the establishment. No one else suffered injuries.
EMTs rushed the youth to the hospital where he was initially given a critical condition diagnosis that was later upgraded to stable condition.
Police said there is no evidence to support Turner knew his victim or the family. However, WSB-TV reported witnessed told police that following the incident, Turner was seen outside the restaurant pacing and yelling racial slurs. He later attempted to re-enter the restaurant and told a family member of the boy he wanted to finish his coffee.
Turner is facing multiple charges related to the incident, including attempted murder, aggravated assault, simple assault, and resisting arrest. The box cutter and the tip of the blade were recovered as evidence by police at the scene.
The incident put fear in many of those who witnessed the attack and its aftermath.
Jean Dean, who saw police as they removed Turner in handcuffs said, “It’s scary. I have a 15, soon-to-be 16-year-old and I just thought what if she could have been in there getting something to drink or whatever.”
This is one of a few recent attacks plaguing fast-food restaurants that have begun to open to full capacity as coronavirus restrictions are lifted in many areas. The Grio reported early this month a manager at a Jack In The Box restaurant was stabbed for insisting a customer wear a mask per covid restrictions. In February, a man was stabbed in a Florida KFC by a customer because he begged for food.
Cara Cruz, Deputy Public Information Officer for the Pittsburgh Public Safety Department, said of Saturday’s incident, “He was with his family, he was standing in line, they had just zipped in for one quick thing,” in remarking how quickly things happened.
“It’s really quite a tragic thing on a beautiful Saturday downtown,” she said.
Turner is being held at Allegheny County Jail where he was denied bail on Tuesday
