EASTPOINTE, MI – Police have arrested a 26-year-old McDonald’s employee accused of fatally stabbing her manager after an argument escalated at a restaurant in suburban Detroit on Thursday morning, authorities said.
Officers were dispatched around 7:55 a.m. to the fast-food restaurant on 9 Mile Road following reports of a stabbing and gunfire. When police arrived, they found a 39-year-old woman suffering from multiple stab wounds. The victim, identified by her family as Jennifer “Jamma” Harris, was taken to a nearby hospital but was later pronounced dead.
Investigators determined the violence began with a dispute between the suspect and Harris, who served as the restaurant’s manager. During the disagreement, Harris reportedly sent the employee home early. Shortly afterward, the employee returned armed with a knife and confronted Harris inside the restaurant, authorities said.
A dramatic scene unfolded as a customer at the drive-thru, witnessing the attack, fired a gunshot into the air in an attempt to stop the stabbing, police said. No one was hit by the bullet, but the suspect attempted to flee the scene on foot.
According to police, the same drive-thru customer who fired the warning shot pursued the fleeing suspect and successfully detained her until officers arrived. Authorities later took the woman into custody.
Family members of Harris, a mother of six and 15-year veteran of the McDonald’s location, expressed deep grief following the attack. “My mama, she woke up every day and went to work for us,” said Antonia Griffin, Harris’s eldest daughter. Loved ones said that prior to Thursday’s tragedy, Harris and the suspect appeared to be friends.
A witness reported that the assailant wore a mask when she returned and attacked Harris repeatedly, making it difficult for bystanders to intervene.
The restaurant remained closed on Thursday as police continued their investigation. The Eastpointe Police Department urged anyone with relevant information to contact their detectives.
The owner of the local McDonald’s franchise expressed condolences to the victim’s family and emphasized that violence would not be tolerated at his restaurants. He also stated that the company is cooperating fully with law enforcement.
As of Thursday night, police had not released the identity of the alleged attacker. No additional injuries were reported in the incident.