Near Penn Station in Manhattan, a 24-hour McDonald’s restaurant was the scene of a bloody incident involving a homeless man stabbing a 19-year-old Australian tourist at random. The homeless man is facing charges of attempted murder for the attack that took place on Tuesday, and the young victim is currently hospitalized with a punctured lung.
According to records from the Manhattan Criminal Court, the defendant in this case is 25-year-old Juan Mercedes. Surveillance footage from the scene and witness testimonies revealed that around 2 a.m. on Monday, the 19-year-old victim was dining with friends when Mercedes suddenly approached him from behind and stabbed him in the back twice without warning.
After committing the crime, Mercedes swiftly left the restaurant but was soon apprehended by arriving officers, still holding the weapon in his hand.
The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office stated that the victim suffered stab wounds to the lower right torso and lower back, resulting in a punctured lung that required hospitalization and treatment.
During the police investigation, it was found that Mercedes did not have a fixed address in New York City and refused to provide any contact information upon his arrest. He was carrying a Florida driver’s license and had a criminal record in Florida.
The judge ultimately set Mercedes’ bail at $150,000 in cash or bond.
Local residents informed the New York Post that this particular McDonald’s establishment, dubbed as “Murder McDonald’s”, has become a gathering place for drug dealers, gang members, and drug users due to its proximity to a methadone clinic in the area.
A regular customer at this McDonald’s expressed how the atmosphere inside the restaurant was akin to a corner of hell, like a nightmare where one had to be cautious even while having a quick meal, making it even more dangerous for tourists.
Even a local vagrant mentioned that sensible individuals would avoid the area after midnight, given the notorious reputation of the surroundings.