Nationwide — Jennifer Harris, a 39-year-old African American mother of six children who was working as a manager at McDonald’s in Eastpointe, Michigan, was fatally stabbed by a co-worker who had been sent home after an argument. The suspect returned with a knife and attacked her inside the restaurant.
Harris had worked at the Eastpointe McDonald’s for 15 years. On Thursday morning, an argument broke out between her and another employee. The employee was told to leave early, but returned shortly after with a knife. She stabbed Jennifer multiple times in front of the customers inside the restaurant.
A customer in the drive-thru witnessed the attack and fired a warning shot into the air to try to stop the fight. Thankfully, no one was struck. The customer then chased the suspect and held her at gunpoint until officers arrived.
Harris was rushed to the hospital but later died from her injuries.
One witness said the attacker left for a few minutes before returning with a mask. “She started stabbing her, and I ran for help and basically asked everybody like ‘help help’ or whatever,” the witness told Fox 2 Detroit. “I tried to stop her — it was no stopping her. She stabbed her everywhere.”
Harris, known to many as “Jamma,” was respected by many and balanced her demanding job while raising six kids on her own. Her daughter said Harris and the suspect had been on friendly terms before the incident.
Police later confirmed the suspect is a 26-year-old woman but have not released her name. The McDonald’s location is temporarily closed during the investigation.
The franchise owner, Yusef Alcodray, said in a statement, “We are deeply saddened by this tragic incident, and our hearts go out to the victim’s family and loved ones. Violence of any kind is unacceptable in my restaurants, and we are taking this matter extremely seriously, as the safety and well-being of our employees and customers is our top priority. We are fully cooperating with law enforcement as they conduct their investigation, and the restaurant will remain closed until further notice.”