“Devastating and tragic:” 12-year-old boy stabbed to dying at downtown McDonald’s – CBS Pittsburgh

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Pittsburgh police said a 12-year-old boy was stabbed to death at a McDonald’s in downtown Pittsburgh Saturday afternoon.

Police said they had arrested 51-year-old Charles Edward Turner in connection with the knife stab. He has faced multiple charges, including attempted criminal murder.

The child was taken to the hospital in critical condition. A criminal complaint states that a doctor has improved his condition to stable. It has also been said that a black and yellow box cutter was recovered from the scene and a piece of razor blade that broke the box cutter was found where the stinging took place.

“It really is quite a tragic thing on a beautiful downtown Saturday,” said Cara Cruz, deputy information officer for the Pittsburgh public safety division.

Police said the 12-year-old boy was stabbed in the neck shortly after 2 p.m. Saturday at McDonald’s on Liberty Avenue and Stanwix Street. Cruz said the child was in line with his family when the incident happened.

“He was with his family, he was standing in line, they had just snuck in for a quick cause,” said Cruz.

People walking in the busy downtown area were shocked and scared when they heard the news.

“I think it’s terrible that something like this can happen,” said Anthony Benson, who has just moved from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh.

“We’re here all the time, people are here all the time, it’s scary, very scary, and having a kid … that’s terrifying,” said Maggie Kishbaugh, a Duquesne University student.

Cruz said Turner was in line behind the child and his family. A criminal complaint states that a witness said Turner attacked the child from behind and then people tried to get rid of him and they noticed that the child’s neck was slashed.

Documents also state that Turner resisted the arrest by beating and kicking officers. Court documents said one officer had cuts to the face and two other victims had minor injuries.

Turner is charged with attempted murder, four aggravated assaults, two simple assaults, and resisting arrest.

He is currently in the Allegheny County Jail.

Uniontown’s Jerry Dean was downtown with his family when he saw the scene.

“I noticed there were a couple of police cars here and as we approached it looked like they were going to get a handcuffed gentleman out,” he said. “It’s creepy. I have a 15-year-old, soon to be 16-year-old, just thinking what if she’d been in there for a drink or whatever.”

Cruz said when the boy was stabbed, staff tried to help.

“Two McDonald’s employees tried to intervene and help the child, then police and ambulance came on the scene,” said Cruz.

Cruz said the police didn’t think the kid and Turner knew each other. Nor do they know whether this was an accidental act.

“It just goes to show that these days you have to be very careful wherever you are, wherever you are going,” Benson said.

“I feel safe in this area, so maybe we shouldn’t feel so safe now, just more consciously,” said Kishbaugh.

McDonald’s on Liberty Avenue is closed. There’s a sign on the door saying they’ll open on Sunday.