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Afeni Muhammad (Screenshot from Instagram video)
Afeni Muhammad, a 26-year-old McDonald's worker, was charged Friday in the fatal stabbing of her manager, Jennifer Harris, 39, on Thursday at the McDonald's on 9 Mile Road in Eastpointe.
Authorities allege that Muhammad stabbed Harris, a single mother of six, up to 15 times with a kitchen knife she had in her car. She faces charges of first-degree murder and carrying a dangerous weapon with unlawful intent.
Eastpointe 38th District Judge Kathleen Galen set Muhammad's bond at $25 million cash. Muhammad of Eastpointe, appeared via live videoconference from the Macomb County Jail.
On her Instagram page, Muhammad had posted a video complaining about work and being sent home early multiple times.
Eastpointe police said Muhammad was sent home early Thursday following an argument with Harris. Wearing a mask, she returned with a knife and allegedly stabbed Harris.
Jennifer Harris (Screenshot photo from WDIV video)
A customer who witnessed the attack fired a shot in an attempt to stop it, but no one was hit, police said in a statement.
The co-worker attempted to flee but was detained by the customer, according to police. Eastpointe officers then arrested her.
Muhammad's attorney said during Friday's hearing that his client had a high school degree and was taking some online courses on physical therapist.
The Detroit News reports:
Muhammad was convicted of stabbing another person in a similar case in Virginia, Hengeveld said. Alexandria, Virginia, Circuit Court records indicate she pleaded guilty in March 2022 to a charge of unlawful injury-stab/wound/cut without malicious intent. Muhammad received a suspended sentence of four years in prison and instead served one year of probation, according to the court records.
Antonia Griffin, one of Harris's daughters, set up a GoFundMe page, which has since been taken down.
She writes:
"We know our momma loved us, she was all we had and we were all she had! My mother was kind to others! She was a woman of God, she served in church as an usher, she always found joy in volunteering to feed the homeless and give schools supplies to students going back to school; she loved giving, donating and helping others! I know there’s a few Mcdonald’s customers who can even say my mother gave them things out of the kindness of her heart."
