The family of a 17-year-old employee fatally stabbed at a Cypress McDonald’s has retained civil rights and personal injury attorney Ben Crump, according to a statement released Tuesday.
Crump and attorney Aaron Dekle of Ben Crump Law were retained by Denisha Dennis, the mother of Reginald “RJ” Harrell Jr. RJ was stabbed by a fellow employee late on the evening of Oct. 7 at the McDonald’s located at 13300 Louetta Road in Cypress. He died at the scene.
“A mother sent her 17-year-old son to work, and he never came home,” Crump and Dekle said in a joint statement. “RJ was killed by a co-worker inside a McDonald’s restaurant where he should have been safe. His family deserves to know what McDonald’s had in place to protect its workers and how this tragedy could happen. We are investigating, and we intend to get those answers.”
According to the Harris County Precinct 4 Constable’s Office, deputies responded to the McDonald’s around 11:30 p.m. after reports of an in-progress stabbing. The Harris County Sheriff’s Office was called to the scene approximately an hour later, around 12:30 a.m.
Authorities said RJ and a 16-year-old co-worker got into an altercation that escalated into a stabbing. RJ was found suffering from multiple stab wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene. The 16-year-old remained at the scene and was detained by deputies. It remains unclear what charges, if any, he will face.
McDonald’s owner-operator Michael Gutierrez issued a statement following the incident.
“We are saddened by this tragedy, and our hearts are with the victim’s loved ones and all those impacted,” Gutierrez said. “Right now, our focus is on the well-being of our restaurant employees and supporting them as they process these events. We are cooperating with local law enforcement and would respectfully refer any questions about this active investigation to them.”
The circumstances surrounding the altercation remain under investigation.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
