Inset: Reginald “RJ” Harrell (Facebook). Background: The McDonald’s restaurant in Cypress, Texas, where Reginald “RJ” Harrell was killed (Harris County Constable, Precinct 4).
A Texas teenager has been arrested and accused of fatally stabbing another teen at a McDonald’s restaurant.
The Harris County Sheriff’s Office said a 16-year-old male suspect faces a murder charge in the death of 17-year-old Reginald “RJ” Harrell. RJ, whose identity was confirmed by his family in an interview with local CBS affiliate KHOU, was working Wednesday night at a McDonald’s in Cypress, Texas, when he reportedly became involved in a fight with the suspect. According to a Facebook post from Harris County Constable, Precinct 4, deputies responding to reports of a stabbing found RJ in a bathroom suffering from multiple stab wounds.
RJ was pronounced dead at the scene. The suspected attacker was arrested.
Authorities said the two teenagers were coworkers. RJ’s family told KHOU that he was not scheduled to work on the night he was killed.
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Officials have not disclosed what led to the confrontation. The 16-year-old suspect remains held at the Harris County Juvenile Detention Center.
RJ’s mother, Denisha Dennis, told KHOU that her youngest son did not deserve to die. “He did not have to go out like this. He didn’t have to be murdered. He did not deserve this at all,” she said. “I want the kid responsible. I want justice for my son.”
His sister, Kourtnee Dennis, said she never imagined that the last time RJ left home for work would be the last time she saw or spoke with him.
The McDonald’s restaurant where the teens worked closed temporarily after RJ’s death. In a statement obtained by KHOU, owner-operator Michael Gutierrez said the company was grieving with RJ’s loved ones and others affected by the tragedy. “Right now, our focus is on the well-being of our restaurant employees, and supporting them as they process these events,” he said.