EASTPOINTE, Mich. – A fundraiser has been started to help support six kids after their mother was killed in the Eastpointe McDonald’s stabbing.
The GoFundMe will benefit the children of 39-year-old Jennifer Harris, who was allegedly stabbed to death by 26-year-old Afeni Badu Muhammad at the McDonald’s at 17921 9 Mile Road in Eastpointe.
Here’s what the organizers said on the GoFundMe page:
“The Jennifer Harris Legacy Fund has been established to honor the life, values, and unwavering love of Jennifer Harris—a devoted mother, friend, and community member. This trust has been created with a singular, heartfelt purpose: to provide ongoing support for the six children she cherished above all else.
Through this fund, Jennifer’s legacy of strength, compassion, and dedication will continue to guide and uplift her children. Resources from the trust will be used to support their educational journeys—from early learning through higher education—as well as their overall well-being and personal development as they grow into adulthood.
The Jennifer Harris Legacy Fund is a reflection of her lifelong commitment to family, opportunity, and the belief in a bright future. It ensures that her children are surrounded by the care, guidance, and support they need to thrive, and that her spirit will continue to shape their lives for years to come."
GoFundMe page for Jennifer Harris
You can click here to donate.
There will also be a balloon release held for Harris at 5 p.m. on Monday, July 14, at the Eastpointe McDonald’s.
Here’s everything we know about the case:
Stabbing, shot fired
The stabbing happened shortly before 8 a.m. on Thursday, July 10, at the McDonald’s at 17921 9 Mile Road in Eastpointe.
Officers were dispatched to the McDonald’s location after receiving a report of a stabbing and a shot being fired.
When they arrived, they discovered that a manager, Harris, and another employee, Muhammad, had been involved in an argument, which resulted in Harris sending Muhammad home early.
Gets knife from vehicle
She told authorities that after she was sent home, she drove to a park before deciding to go back to the McDonald’s and stab Harris with a knife that she had inside her vehicle.
The knife was allegedly a kitchen knife longer than 3 inches, according to authorities.
Muhammad admitted to detectives that she had intended to kill Harris.
Related: What Eastpointe McDonald’s worker said in Instagram rant 2 days before allegedly killing manager
Returns to McDonald’s wearing mask
When she returned to the McDonald’s, she entered through a back entrance with a “hooded mask over her face” in an attempt to conceal her identity, according to a swear-to from Eastpointe Detective Showers.
Muhammad allegedly stabbed her manager multiple times.
Stabs manager up to ‘as many as 15 times’
“She produced a weapon that was a knife longer than 3 inches, and she stabbed the victim multiple times, up to possibly as many as 15 times, eventually causing her death,” assistant prosecutor Hengeveld said during Muhammad’s arraignment.
Read more: Prosecutor explains what happened during deadly stabbing inside Macomb County McDonald’s
Customer stops employee from fleeing
A customer who was in the drive-thru line intervened and fired a shot to try to stop the attack.
The customer then held the suspect at gunpoint until officers arrived, when she tried to flee. No one was struck by the bullet, according to police.
“He had her sitting down there in the parking lot next to a vehicle, and he had the gun pointed at her,” said Edward Ballestero, another employee who was working when the stabbing happened. “That’s when police and all them rolled up.”
Officers arrived, and Muhammad was taken into custody.
Harris was taken to a local hospital, where she died from her injuries.
Connection to previous stabbing
During the arraignment, the assistant prosecutor also said Muhammad is connected to a previous stabbing.
“The defendant does have a prior instance of at least one that I’m aware of that involved a stabbing, similar obviously to the stabbing that occurred in this case, involving a knife,” said Hengeveld.
Charges
Muhammad virtually appeared before 38th District Court Judge Kathleen G. Galen for her arraignment at 1 p.m. on July 11.
She was arraigned on the charges of first-degree murder, carrying a dangerous weapon with unlawful intent and being a habitual offender, second offense.
Bond
The judge set Muhammad’s bond at $25 million, cash/surety only, with the following conditions:
If she posts bond and is released:
- She must wear a steel cuff GPS tether
- She can’t leave the state of Michigan
- She must report a change of address within 24 hours
- She must have stringent daily contact with community corrections about her whereabouts
- She must undergo alcohol and drug testing
- She can’t have any contact with the family of the victim or witnesses
- She can’t return to the McDonald’s location
Future court dates
Muhammad is set to appear in court again for a probable cause conference on July 23 and a preliminary examination on July 30.
‘Died trying to take care of us,’ victim’s daughter says
Her children describe Harris as selfless and a hard worker who aimed to provide for her six children as a single mother.
“She was the best mom anybody could ever ask for,” said Harris’ daughter, Antonia Griffin. “My mama – she woke up every day and went to work for us. My mama died trying to take care of us.”
Her children said Harris had worked as a manager at that Eastpointe McDonald’s for several years and said they had even met the coworker accused of killing her.
They’re now in shock at how such senseless violence could have ended their mother’s life.
“She’s a hard-working woman, so kind,” Griffin said. “If anybody needed her help, she would give you her last, give you the shirt off her back. She did not deserve this at all.”
Full Arraignment
You can watch the full hearing in the video below:
