PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Pittsburgh police say a 12-year-old boy was stabbed inside a McDonald’s in downtown Pittsburgh on Saturday afternoon.
Police said they arrested 51-year-old Charles Edward Turner in connection with the knife. He is facing several charges, including criminal attempted murder.
The child was transported to the hospital in critical condition. A criminal complaint alleges that a doctor upgraded his condition to stable. It is also said that a black and yellow box cutter was recovered from the scene, and a razor blade that broke off from the box was found where the knife stabbed.
“It’s really a tragic thing on a beautiful Saturday downtown,” Cara Cruz said. She is the Deputy Public Information Officer for the Department of Public Safety in Pittsburgh.
Police said the 12-year-old boy was stabbed in the neck just after 2pm on Saturday at McDonald’s in Liberty Avenue and Stanwix Street. Cruz said the child was standing in a queue with his family when the incident happened.
“He was with his family, he was standing in line, they were only pulling for one quick thing,” Cruz said.
People walking in the busy city center were shocked and scared when they heard the news.
“I think it’s awful that something like this could happen,” said Anthony Benson, who had just moved from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh.
“We’re here all the time, people are here all the time, it’s scary, very scary and a child … it’s scary,” said Maggie Kishbaugh, a student at Duquesne University.
Cruz said Turner stands behind the child and his family. According to a criminal complaint, a witness said Turner tackled the child from behind.
Documents also state that Turner resisted arrest by punching and kicking officers. In the court documents it was said that one officer had cuts to his face and that two other victims had minor injuries.
Turner is charged with culpable homicide, four counts of aggravated assault, two counts of simple assault and resisting arrest.
He is currently in jail in Allegheny County.
Jerry Dean of Uniontown was with his family in downtown when he saw the scene.
“I noticed that there were a lot of police vehicles here and when we approached, it looked like they were handcuffing a man,” he said. “It’s scary. I have a 15-year-old and soon to be a 16-year-old and I just thought what if she could have been there for a drink or whatever.”
Cruz said when the boy was stabbed, employees tried to help.
“Two McDonald’s employees tried to intervene and help the child, and police and EMS showed up at the scene,” Cruz said.
Cruz said police do not believe the child and Turner knew each other. They also do not know if it was a random act.
“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 we should not feel so safe now to be here, just more aware, I think,” Kishbaugh said.
The McDonald’s in Liberty Avenue is closed. There’s a sign on the door that says they’ll open Sunday.