DETROIT – A woman who was stabbed to death while she was on her lunch break in Downtown Detroit was attacked at random, her family said.
The attack happened at around 2:30 p.m. on Sept. 20 in an alley near Woodward Avenue and E Congress Street.
Jaquoya Wix, 34, was a daughter, sister and mom to a 15-year-old daughter, her sister, Alicya Wix, told Local 4.
Wix was working a regular shift at Chipotle on Sunday when she was attacked by a man with a knife. Her family said it was random.
What witnesses saw, heard
Two people who were right near the attack told Local 4 they heard her scream. She tried to walk back in the back door, but collapsed.
Employees at a nearby pub came out of their back door, tried to help her, then called 911.
The man went running, and an employee at another nearby business chased him while on the phone with police.
Suspect arrested
Officers used surveillance cameras to track the suspect to the area of Woodward Avenue and State Street, where officers took him into custody.
Investigators are working to determine a motive.
Community left shocked
People downtown Sunday evening said they were shocked to hear this could happen.
“It’s very scary, you know,” Tamika Wilson said. “You would think downtown would be safe, especially hearing what happened to the young lady. She was at work too.”
“I didn’t know how to think about it,” Cha’Laya Adams said. “It was just shocking to me coming down here and hearing about this.”
Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield offered her condolences, too.
“From what we now know, this was an unprovoked attack by an individual suffering from severe mental health issues. My thoughts and prayers are with the family of Jaquoya and our city grieves with her family during this incredibly difficult time,” Sheffield said in a statement.
Chipotle expressed condolences to Wix’s family and friends.
“We are deeply saddened by the senseless act of violence that occurred today in downtown Detroit. Our thoughts are with the family and friends of those affected, as well as our Woodward Avenue restaurant team, during this incredibly difficult time. We are cooperating fully with law enforcement and hope the individual responsible is prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” Chipotle’s Chief Corporate Affairs and Food Safety Officer Laurie Schalow said in a statement.
The family has set up a GoFundMe for funeral expenses and to support Wix’s daughter.
