Teen fatally stabbed at McDonald's in Havre de Grace; two suspects in custody

Katia Parks, The Aegis, Bel Air, Md.
Updated ·3 min read
2

Aug. 22—A teen was fatally stabbed Monday afternoon at a McDonald's in Havre de Grace.

At 2:26 p.m., the Havre de Grace Police Department received multiple 911 calls for a stabbing at the McDonald's located at 802 Pulaski Highway. Officers arrived at 2:32 p.m., and began administering emergency aid to a juvenile who had severe wounds consistent with being stabbed, according to a police news release.

The teen was transported by Maryland State Police medevac to Shock Trauma in Baltimore with critical injuries. He died from his injuries at 10:49 p.m.

Officers identified and arrested two suspects, one of whom is a minor. Police believe the attackers and victims knew each other, the release said.

The name of the victim or suspects has not been released by police. Investigators will not confirm the victim's identity until they have contacted family members, police said.

By Tuesday afternoon, business had returned to normal at the restaurant. A manager referred questions to the corporate media department.

A handwritten sign on the door at the Waffle House restaurant next door said that the Waffle House was closed to sit-down diners and noted the boy's passing with "RIP KJ" and a sad face drawn. A manager who answered the door would not confirm if the teen was employed there.

A Doordash driver who stopped at the McDonald's on Tuesday afternoon for an order said she came by Monday afternoon to pick up an order and had to cancel it because of the police activity, but when she came back around 5 p.m., the police had left and she was able to pick up new orders.

"I saw the yellow tape and police everywhere, so I pulled into the Maria's Pizza next door," the driver said. "Then my son called and told me that somebody had been stabbed, a friend he said he went to school with."

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The Morning Sun

She said her son attends Havre de Grace High School.

"It's scary," she said. "Coming outside and having to deal with this and not knowing what it stems from or what beef they had. I don't want him to ever be in a situation like that."

Some residents in the This is Havre de Grace Facebook group said problems continuously arise near the McDonald's. When reached for comment, one resident who posted in the group but asked to remain anonymous for her safety, said drug deals take place in the parking lot, and large groups of teens are disruptive to other patrons of the fast food chain.

In response, the Havre de Grace Police Department said Tuesday that the McDonald's is not necessarily a problem area, and that they do not get a lot of calls about teens congregating there.

The investigation is active. Anyone with information pertaining to this investigation is asked to contact Det. Sova or Det. Cooper at 410-939-2121.

Originally Published: Aug 22, 2023 at 11:12 am