[The Pact]

A kid is dead stabbed repeatedly in a McDonald’s bathroom and the official statements rolling out sound like everyone is terrified of saying the obvious: a teenager was butchered at his job, on his day off, by another teenager who should never have had a weapon anywhere near him.

Deputies were called to the McDonald’s on Oct. 7, where they found 17‑year‑old Reginald “RJ” Harrell bleeding out on the restroom floor. The 16‑year‑old coworker accused of killing him was detained outside. Paramedics tried to save Harrell, but the wounds were catastrophic. He died right there in the building where he’d been earning minimum wage.

Police say both teens worked at the restaurant. That’s where the similarities end. One kid showed up on his day off. The other allegedly brought a knife and turned a workplace argument into a homicide.

The suspect, whose name is being protected because he’s 16 has been charged with murder. Authorities keep calling this a “tragedy" as if that shows concern.

Harrell’s mother didn’t sugar-coat anything.

“He did not have to go out like this. He didn’t have to be murdered,” Denisha Dennis said. “He did not deserve this at all.”

She’s right. Her son didn’t deserve to die on a filthy restaurant toilet floor because a co-worker couldn’t control himself.

“I want the kid responsible; I want justice for my son,” she said. “He’s gone. He was only 17. And I can’t talk, I can’t hug him, he can’t say, ‘Ma, I love you.’”

Meanwhile, McDonald’s corporate responded with the usual bland PR condolences “we are saddened,” “our hearts are with the victim’s loved ones,” “we’re supporting employees” the same boilerplate they use for everything from workplace injuries to franchise closures.

As of right now, law enforcement has not publicised a specific motive for the fatal stabbing of 17-year-old Reginald "RJ" Harrell.

Because the suspect is a 16-year-old minor, the case is being handled through the Harris County Juvenile Detention system, and specific investigative details including the root cause of the argument remain strictly confidential.

The 16-year-old suspect remained at the scene, was taken into custody without incident, and has been officially charged with murder

https://people.com/teen-mcdonalds-employ...m-12167720

[◔ßorder╙ineExtrⒶ]

Reginald, like the OG clown. Condolences to the family, obviously this heinous crime won't go unpunished. Finding the dead body of an employee in the private area should dissolve the Franchise owner from the accused, however blame won't fall only to the wrongdoer. For the family, hope this matter gets resolved and Justice won't allow the criminal get away unpunished.

[Yin Yang]

Absolutely heartbreaking. No family should have to go thru with this. A senseless argument should never end in a young person losing their life.

[The Pact]

Reginald, like the OG clown. Condolences to the family, obviously this heinous crime won't go unpunished. Finding the dead body of an employee in the private area should dissolve the Franchise owner from the accused, however blame won't fall only to the wrongdoer. For the family, hope this matter gets resolved and Justice won't allow the criminal get away unpunished.

The wrongdoer is under age so will get a lighter sentence and there keeping everything secret until a guilty verdict.

[Lowkey]

Violence violence and more violence. Thank you for sharing.

[The Pact]

Violence violence and more violence. Thank you for sharing.

It's Octoberfest. There is a pumpkin.

It’s Oktoberfest, and someone has decided a pumpkin belongs in the middle of it.

[DryNode]

dang man.. hope the family can soon heal to the best of their ability. Hopefully the wrongdoer receives punishment.

[TheNaturalBoy]

Well, I’m not sure what the laws are like in Texas, but as far as I understand, minors who are close to the age of majority can sometimes be sentenced as adults rather than simply being placed in a juvenile detention facility. Obviously, I don’t wish anything bad on the person responsible. It would be much better if their time in prison gives them a chance to reflect on what they did and eventually reintegrate into society in the future.

My deepest condolences to the poor kid’s family. He looked like a really nice guy in the photo his family provided for the article. Hopefully, justice will be served.

[RySec]

Every day these sorts of stories lose their shock value because they are becoming a regular occurrence, unfortunately.

[The Pact]

Well, I’m not sure what the laws are like in Texas, but as far as I understand, minors who are close to the age of majority can sometimes be sentenced as adults rather than simply being placed in a juvenile detention facility. Obviously, I don’t wish anything bad on the person responsible. It would be much better if their time in prison gives them a chance to reflect on what they did and eventually reintegrate into society in the future.

My deepest condolences to the poor kid’s family. He looked like a really nice guy in the photo his family provided for the article. Hopefully, justice will be served.

Yes, that happpens quite often it will have to be decided if they try him as a minor or adult. He is 16.

[Jinu]

It's incredibly sad that such a young life ended in such a tragic way. The reaction from McDonald's seems almost indifferent, focusing more on the "tragedy" label than addressing what actually happened. It's crucial for such incidents to be thoroughly investigated to prevent similar tragedies in the future. Maybe a program aimed at early intervention and support for teenagers could be a step towards prevention.

[Jamika]

So many questions come to mind... But the most important one right now is, who is responsible for making a teenager work for such a meager wage while the state spends its money on the wrong things?

[The Pact]

So many questions come to mind... But the most important one right now is, who is responsible for making a teenager work for such a meager wage while the state spends its money on the wrong things?

Where I live the government introduced "youth rates" meaning teenagers can be paid less than minimum wage to get experience, but that kind of assumes that they have great parents already taking care of them fine, so that they don't really need a job, which is ridiculous to just assume.