PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Pittsburgh police say a 12-year-old boy was stabbed at a McDonald’s in downtown Pittsburgh on Saturday afternoon.
Police said they arrested Charles Edward Turner, 51, in connection with the stabbing. He faces several charges, including attempted murder.
The child was taken to hospital in critical condition. A criminal complaint states that a doctor has improved his condition. It was also said that a black and yellow box cutter was recovered from the spot and a piece of razor blade that broke the box cutter was recovered where the stabbing occurred.
“It’s really a tragic thing on a beautiful Saturday in downtown,” said Cara Cruz, who is a deputy public intelligence officer for the Pittsburgh Department of Public Safety.
Police said the 12-year-old boy was stabbed in the neck inside McDonald’s on Liberty Avenue and Stanwix Street on Saturday after 2 p.m. Cruz said the child was queuing with his family when the incident occurred.
“He was with his family, he was standing in line, they just closed for a quick thing,” Cruz said.
People walking in the crowded area of the city were shocked and scared when they heard the news.
“I think it’s awful that something like this can happen,” said Anthony Benson, who has just moved to Pittsburgh, Philadelphia.
“We’re here all the time, people are here all the time, it’s scary, very scary and a child … it’s terrifying,” said Maggie Kishbaugh, a student at Duquesne University.
Cruz said Turner was in line behind the child and his family. A criminal complaint states that a witness said Turner approached the child from behind and then people tried to take him down and noticed that the child’s neck had been cut.
The documents also mention that Turner resisted arrest by punching and beating the officers. Court documents said an officer had cuts on his face and two other victims sustained minor injuries.
Turner is charged with attempted murder, four counts of aggravated assault, two counts of simple assault and resisting arrest.
He is currently in prison in Allegheny County.
Jerry Dean of Uniontown was downtown with his family when he saw the scene.
“I noticed a lot of police cars here, and as we got closer, they looked like they were handcuffing a gentleman,” he said. “It’s scary. I have a 15-year-old who will soon be 16, and I was just wondering if he could be there to have a drink or something.”
Cruz said that when the boy was stabbed, the employees tried to help.
“Two McDonald’s employees tried to intervene and help the child, then police and EMS arrived on the scene,” Cruz said.
Cruz said police did not believe the child and Turner knew each other. I also don’t know if it was a coincidence.
“It just shows you that you have to be very careful these days, wherever you are, wherever you go,” Benson said.
“I feel safe in this area, so maybe now we shouldn’t feel as confident that we’re here, but I think we’re more aware,” Kishbaugh said.
McDonald’s on Liberty Boulevard is closed. There is a sign on the door that says they will open on Sunday.