PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Pittsburgh police said Saturday afternoon a 12-year-old boy was stabbed at a McDonald’s in downtown Pittsburgh.
Police said they had arrested 51-year-old Charles Edward Turner in connection with the stabbing. He is facing several charges, including attempted murder.
The child was transported to hospital in critical condition. A criminal complaint states that a doctor has upgraded his condition to stable. It also said a black and yellow case was recovered from the scene and a piece of razor that had broken off the case was recovered at the site of the stabbing.
“It’s really, really tragic on a beautiful Saturday downtown,” said Cara Cruz, deputy public information officer for Pittsburgh’s public safety department.
Police said the 12-year-old boy was stabbed in the neck just after 2 p.m. on 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 in line, they just jumped in for one thing,” Cruz said.
People walking in the busy downtown area were shocked and frightened when they heard the news.
“I hate that something like this could happen,” said Anthony Benson, who has just moved to Pittsburgh from Philadelphia.
“We’re always here, people are always here, it’s scary, very scary and a kid … that’s terrifying,” said Maggie Kishbaugh, a Duquesne University student.
Cruz said Turner was behind the child and his family. A criminal complaint states that a witness said that Turner had grabbed the child from behind and that people were trying to get him loose and they found the child’s neck had been cut.
Documents also state that Turner opposed arrest by hitting and kicking officers. According to court documents, an officer had cuts to the face and two other victims were minor injuries.
Turner is charged with criminal attempted manslaughter, four charges of aggravated assault, two counts of simple assault and resisting arrest.
He is currently in Allegheny County Jail.
Jerry Dean from Uniontown was downtown with his family when he saw the scene.
“I saw there were a lot of police cars here and when we got closer it looked like they were bringing out a gentleman in handcuffs,” he said. “It’s scary. I have a 15-year-old, soon to be 16-year-old and I thought, what if she could have been there to get a drink or whatever.”
Cruz said when the boy was stabbed, workers tried to help.
“Two McDonald’s employees tried to intervene and help the child, but then the police and ambulance arrived,” Cruz said.
Cruz said police do not believe the child and Turner knew each other. They also don’t know if this was an arbitrary act.
“It just shows you that you have to be very careful these days, wherever you are, wherever you go,” said Benson.
“I feel safe in this area, so maybe we shouldn’t feel as safe now when we are around here, just more consciously I guess,” said Kishbaugh.
The McDonald’s on Liberty Avenue is closed. There is a sign on the door saying they open on Sunday.