A 16-year-old girl was fatally stabbed during a fight over sweet and sour sauce outside of a McDonald's in Washington D.C.
The devastating incident occurred after a young girl named Naima Liggon of Waldorf, Maryland went to the fast food chain early on Sunday (August 27) morning, as reported by CBS News.
According to the Metropolitan Police's press release, Liggon picked up the food and left the restaurant - which was in a popular nightlife section of the city - at around 2AM.
The teenage girl ended up getting into a verbal argument with another teenager and it turned physical. Liggon was then stabbed twice and had to be taken to a nearby hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries and tragically died.
In WTOP news's report, it was revealed during an initial hearing on Monday (August 28) at a D.C. Superior Court that the two teens were part of a group of five girls who met up at the Birchwood Recreation Center in Oxon Hill, Maryland, on Saturday and then drove to the District to attend a party at 15th Street Northwest.
Detective Brendan Jasper testified that following the party, the girls visited McDonald's and had "an argument over sweet-and-sour sauce," outside of the restaurant, per The Washington Post.
The detective went on to claim that Liggon and another unnamed girl began assaulting a 16-year-old who then lunged at Liggon and her friend as they tried to get in a vehicle. The deceased victim is said to have been stabbed with a seven-and-a-half-inch pocketknife in her chest and abdomen.
The accused suspect - who has not been named publicly due to her age - was arrested and found in possession of a knife. She has been charged with second-degree murder while armed, assault with intent to kill, aggravated assault, felony assault, and carrying a dangerous weapon.
The teenager pleaded "not involved" in court, and her attorney argued that their client acted in self-defense. They also noted that the suspect had no prior criminal history, per Too Fab.
However, prosecutor Priscilla Guerrero contended that the fight was already over by the time the teen allegedly pulled the knife, stating: "She was the only person who brought a knife to a fistfight," as cited by the outlet
D.C. Superior Court Judge Sherri Beatty-Arthur said: "At the end of the day, someone is dead over a dispute over sauce," and called for the juvenile suspect to be held until a new hearing on Friday (September 1), The Washington Post reported.
Liggon's mother, Joy Liggon, called the heartbreaking incident "senseless," telling WTOP: "I can’t understand how any type of a fight, whether it’s over sweet-and-sour sauce or any other topic, could result in a murder." She added: "Naima was beautiful, smart … she was funny, unique. She loves life."
As she and her family grieve, the teen's mom said she would like to send one message to all parents: "Make sure that they (your kids) know every time that they walk out of your door, that they are loved because you don’t know if that’s the last time that you’re going to see them."
The young girl was a student at Thomas Stone High School in Waldorf. In a touching statement sent to the school community, principal Shanif Pearl penned in part: "My thoughts and prayers go out to her family, friends, loved ones and all who knew her," per Fox 5.
"This is not the news a principal ever wants to share, let alone the day before we start a new school year. I ask that you please keep Naima’s family, friends, loved ones, and our school community in your thoughts and prayers," Pearl concluded.
Our thoughts go out to Liggon's family and friends at this time.
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