A Detroit McDonald’s employee has been charged with first-degree murder after allegedly fatally stabbing her manager just days after posting a disturbing rant about her on social media.
Afeni Muhammad, 26, is accused of stabbing 39-year-old Jennifer Harris more than 15 times during a violent altercation at the fast-food restaurant on Thursday, Global News reports.
The incident was reportedly witnessed by both employees and customers, one of whom fired a warning shot into the air in an unsuccessful attempt to stop the attack.
Just two days prior to the incident, Muhammad posted an Instagram video in which she expressed frustration about being sent home early from work on consecutive days.
In the video, posted to her social media accounts, she accused Harris of targeting her unfairly.
You can see the video below (warning - strong language): “She’s a bully,” Muhammad said in the now-viral post. “She needs to understand that just because she’s a mother and has children, that doesn’t mean she can come in here disrespecting people. She talks like everyone is beneath her.”
Harris, a single mother of six, had worked at McDonald’s for 15 years and was known for her dedication to her job and family.
Muhammad’s video went on to claim that her manager was playing “racial games,” spreading negativity, and gossiping about staff. She warned that “that stuff’s gonna have to stop,” and insisted she was not an aggressive person, saying: “I make peace. I’ve been creating peace.”
Authorities say that after being sent home again on Thursday, Muhammad told Harris, “I’ll be back,” before retrieving a kitchen knife from her car. She allegedly returned to the restaurant wearing a mask and carried out the fatal attack, Yahoo News details.
A drive-thru customer who witnessed the stabbing reportedly fired a shot into the air in an attempt to deter the assailant. Muhammad tried to flee but was restrained by the same customer until police arrived and placed her under arrest.
She appeared in court on Friday and is being held on a $25 million bond. In addition to the murder charge, she faces a count of unlawful possession of a dangerous weapon with intent to cause harm, News.com.au states.
According to prosecutors, Muhammad has a previous conviction in another state for a separate stabbing incident. Her attorney described her as a high school graduate currently enrolled in online physical therapy classes, adding that she is also an aspiring rapper.
The franchise owner of the McDonald’s location released a statement in response to the tragedy, saying: “We are deeply saddened by this tragic incident, and our hearts go out to the victim’s family and loved ones."
It continued: "Violence of any kind is unacceptable in my restaurants, and we are taking this matter extremely seriously. The safety and well-being of our employees and customers is our top priority. We are fully cooperating with law enforcement, and the restaurant will remain closed until further notice.”
The investigation remains ongoing.