A 26-year-old woman has been arrested in Michigan after allegedly stabbing her manager to death at a McDonald’s restaurant in Eastpointe. The attack followed a verbal dispute between the employee and her 39-year-old manager, Jennifer “Jamma” Harris, who had sent the suspect home early from work.
What Happened?
At 7:55 a.m. on Thursday, Eastpointe Police responded to a report of a stabbing and shots being fired at a McDonald’s located in the 17000 block of 9 Mile Road. Investigations revealed that the incident began with a dispute between the employee and Harris, the manager. After the disagreement, Harris sent the employee home early from her shift.
However, a short time later, the employee returned to the restaurant armed with a knife and stabbed Harris, who had been involved in the earlier dispute.
The Attempted Intervention
A customer who was at the drive-thru window during the attack noticed the stabbing and was able to fire a shot in the air to try and stop the assault. Fortunately, no one was struck by the bullet. The suspect then attempted to flee the scene, but the witness who fired the shot chased after her and managed to detain her until the police arrived.
Victim Dies from Injuries
Harris was rushed to a local hospital, but she succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead. Her family, speaking to Detroit ABC affiliate WXYZ, identified her as Jennifer “Jamma” Harris, a mother of six who had worked at the same McDonald’s for 15 years.
Her daughter, Antonia Griffin, said, “She was the best mom anybody could ever ask for. My mama, she woke up every day and went to work for us, for us. My mama died trying to take care of us.”
The family also revealed that, up until the tragic stabbing, Harris and the suspect had been friends.
Witnesses Describe the Attack
A witness described what they saw during the stabbing to Detroit Fox affiliate WJBK. “She started stabbing her and I ran for help. I tried to stop her — it was no stopping her. She stabbed her everywhere,” the witness said. The witness also noted that the suspect was wearing a mask when she returned to the restaurant.
Statement from McDonald’s Owner
The local McDonald’s owner, Yusef Alcodray, issued a statement, expressing sadness over the tragedy. “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. The safety and well-being of our employees and customers is our top priority,” Alcodray said. He added that the restaurant would remain closed until further notice and that they were fully cooperating with law enforcement.
Ongoing Investigation
Authorities are continuing to investigate the incident. The Eastpointe Police Department has not yet released the identity of the alleged attacker. Anyone with information is urged to contact Detective Showers at 586-445-9415.
