EASTPOINTE, Mich. – The employee accused of stabbing her manager to death at the Eastpointe McDonald’s is scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday.
Afeni Badu Muhammad, 26, of Eastpointe, has been charged with first-degree murder, carrying a dangerous weapon with unlawful intent and being a habitual offender, second offense, in connection with the death of Jennifer Harris.
Harris, 39, worked as a manager at the McDonald’s at 17921 9 Mile Road in Eastpointe. Police said she was killed on July 10 after being involved in an argument with Muhammad.
Muhammad is expected to be back in court for a probable cause conference on Wednesday, July 23.
In addition to today’s court appearance, Muhammad also has a preliminary examination scheduled for July 30.
Here’s everything we know about the case up to this point:
Stabbing, shot fired
The stabbing happened shortly before 8 a.m. on Thursday, July 10, at the McDonald’s at 17921 9 Mile Road in Eastpointe.
Officers were dispatched to the McDonald’s location after receiving a report of a stabbing and a shot being fired.
When they arrived, they discovered that a manager, Harris, and another employee, Muhammad, had been involved in an argument, which resulted in Harris sending Muhammad home early.
Gets knife from vehicle
Muhammad admitted to detectives that she had intended to kill Harris.
She told authorities that after she was sent home, she drove to a park before deciding to go back to the McDonald’s and stab Harris with a knife that she had inside her vehicle.
The knife was allegedly a kitchen knife longer than 3 inches, according to authorities.
Related: What Eastpointe McDonald’s worker said in Instagram rant 2 days before allegedly killing manager
Returns to McDonald’s wearing mask
When she returned to the McDonald’s, she entered through a back entrance with a “hooded mask over her face” in an attempt to conceal her identity, according to a swear-to from Eastpointe Detective Showers.
Muhammad allegedly stabbed her manager multiple times.
Stabs manager up to ‘as many as 15 times’
“She produced a weapon that was a knife longer than 3 inches, and she stabbed the victim multiple times, up to possibly as many as 15 times, eventually causing her death,” assistant prosecutor Hengeveld said during Muhammad’s arraignment.
Read more: Prosecutor explains what happened during deadly stabbing inside Macomb County McDonald’s
Customer stops employee from fleeing
A customer who was in the drive-thru line intervened and fired a shot to try to stop the attack.
The customer then held the suspect at gunpoint until officers arrived, when she tried to flee. No one was struck by the bullet, according to police.
“He had her sitting down there in the parking lot next to a vehicle, and he had the gun pointed at her,” said Edward Ballestero, another employee who was working when the stabbing happened. “That’s when police and all them rolled up.”
Officers arrived, and Muhammad was taken into custody.
Harris was taken to a local hospital, where she died from her injuries.
Connection to previous stabbing
During the arraignment, the assistant prosecutor also said Muhammad is connected to a previous stabbing.
“The defendant does have a prior instance of at least one that I’m aware of that involved a stabbing, similar obviously to the stabbing that occurred in this case, involving a knife,” said Hengeveld.
Charges
Muhammad virtually appeared before 38th District Court Judge Kathleen G. Galen for her arraignment at 1 p.m. on July 11.
She was arraigned on the charges of first-degree murder, carrying a dangerous weapon with unlawful intent and being a habitual offender, second offense.
Bond
The judge set Muhammad’s bond at $25 million, cash/surety only, with conditions: If she posts bond and is released:
- She must wear a steel cuff GPS tether
- She can’t leave the state of Michigan
- She must report a change of address within 24 hours
- She must have stringent daily contact with community corrections about her whereabouts
- She must undergo alcohol and drug testing
- She can’t have any contact with the family of the victim or witnesses
- She can’t return to the McDonald’s location
‘Died trying to take care of us,’ victim’s daughter says
Her children describe Harris as selfless and a hard worker who aimed to provide for her six children as a single mother.
“She was the best mom anybody could ever ask for,” said Harris’ daughter, Antonia Griffin. “My mama – she woke up every day and went to work for us. My mama died trying to take care of us.”
Her children said Harris had worked as a manager at that Eastpointe McDonald’s for several years and said they had even met the coworker accused of killing her.
They’re now in shock at how such senseless violence could have ended their mother’s life.
“She’s a hard-working woman, so kind,” Griffin said. “If anybody needed her help, she would give you her last, give you the shirt off her back. She did not deserve this at all.”
Jennifer Harris Legacy Fund
The Jennifer Harris Legacy Fund was started to help support six kids after their mother was killed in the Eastpointe McDonald’s stabbing.
The GoFundMe will benefit the children of 39-year-old Jennifer Harris, who was allegedly stabbed to death by 26-year-old Afeni Badu Muhammad at the McDonald’s at 17921 9 Mile Road in Eastpointe.
Balloon release
A balloon release and vigil were held to honor Harris on Monday, July 14, at the Eastpointe McDonald’s where she was killed.
Members of Harris’ family spoke, including Antonia Griffin, one of her daughters.
She also said, “It’s hard to sit right here, stand right here, and talk about her. I never-- This was never a thought. We never got to none of this. Never even discussed death or what would happen when she was not here with us.”
Read more: Daughter of manager who was killed at Eastpointe McDonald’s speaks at restaurant where it happened
The owner of the McDonald’s location and the Eastpointe mayor also spoke during this vigil.
‘NO Violence Rally’ at Detroit church
A “NO Violence Rally” was held at Divine Restoration Ministries on Wednesday, July 16.
Several people spoke at the event, including Dr. Tenisia Evans, the pastor of the church, Eastpointe Mayor Michael Klinefelt and Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield.
Full arraignment
The last time Muhammad appeared in court was on Friday, July 11, for her arraignment.
You can watch that full hearing in the video below: