16-year-old charged with murder in NYC McDonald's stabbing
A 16-year-old boy has been charged with murder for the stabbing death of a younger teen during a fight at a McDonald's in Queens, New York. The victim, 14-year-old Julian Corniell, was fatally injured in the incident that took place on Valentine's Day. Police arrested the suspect on Thursday afternoon. He has not been named because he is a minor. The fight broke out around 3:25 p.m. when groups of teens from different high schools clashed inside the fast-food restaurant. During the brawl, the older teen is accused of stabbing Corniell in the side with a knife. Corniell was reportedly trying to buy a gift for his girlfriend that day. After being stabbed, he ran from the restaurant but collapsed outside on Queens Boulevard. He was taken to a hospital, where he later died from his injuries. Corniell's mother expressed her sadness, saying her son did not deserve to die that way. She described him as a "brilliant" boy who enjoyed video games and soccer. He was a freshman at Hillcrest High School and had a history of being bullied. The 16-year-old suspect is being held without bail and faces serious charges, including manslaughter and gang assault. If convicted, he could face 25 years to life in prison. A 14-year-old boy was also arrested shortly after the incident and charged with gang assault. Authorities and community leaders say the situation highlights the need to address violence among teens.