The Chicago Police Department has reported that charges have been filed against an individual alleged to have stabbed three employees at a McDonald’s located in Wrightwood using a “hatchet-like object” on Sunday morning. Jermaine Allen, a 24-year-old resident of Chicago, faces three felony charges: one for attempted first-degree murder, one for aggravated battery involving a deadly weapon, and one for aggravated battery resulting in significant bodily injury.

Police say Allen was arrested just after 1 p.m. Sunday in the 7800 block of South Western Avenue, where the attack occurred.

Law enforcement officials reported that at approximately 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, a male individual allegedly requested complimentary food from a cashier at the McDonald’s. When the cashier declined the request, the individual brandished a “hatchet-like object” and began to assault the victims. As per police reports, an 18-year-old male and two women, both aged 45, who were present in the McDonald’s, were subsequently taken to local hospitals following the incident. It was noted that the 18-year-old and one of the women were in stable condition upon their transport, while the other woman sustained serious injuries. All three individuals affected were employees of the establishment.

Following the initial incident, the suspect fled the scene; however, officers were summoned back to the vicinity shortly after 1 p.m. on Sunday by individuals who recognized a male loitering near the bus terminal at 79th Street and Western Avenue as the alleged perpetrator.

Vincent Hale, the proprietor of the Wrightwood McDonald’s, issued the following statement: “We are profoundly distressed by the violent incident that occurred in our restaurant on Sunday morning, which resulted in injuries to three of our team members. The safety of our employees and customers is our utmost priority.”