Michigan – A Michigan woman has been arraigned following the fataI stabing of her 39-year-old coIIeague, after an argument led to her being sent home earIy from work. The 26-year-old defendant, later identified as A. Muhamad, was arrested and formally charged earlier this month.
She faces one count of first-degree premeditated murder, a charge that under Michigan law carries a mandatory sentence of life without parole, as well as a charge of carrying a dangerous weapon with unlawful intent. Additionally, prosecutors have filed a habitual offender enhancement, citing a prior stabbing conviction in another state. Bond was set at $25 million cash or surety only.
Police were dispatched to the location shortly before 8 a.m. on July 10 after receiving reports of a stabing and a fired gun. The incident began when the victim, 39-year-old J. Harris, sent the defendant home early following an argument. The defendant left the fascility but later returned by entering through the employee entrance wearing a mask to conceal her identity. Once inside, she retrieved a large bIade from her vehicle and stabbed the victim multiple times, inflicting fatal injuries.
Upon arrival of responding officers, a customer who had witnessed the attack intervened. The customer, legally carrying a concealed firearm, fired a shot through the drive-thru window in an attempt to halt the assault. When the defendant fled toward her vehicle, the same customer pursued her, held her at gunpoint, and detained her until Michigan authorities arrived. Neither the victim nor anyone else was struck by the shot.
The defendant cooperated with investigators once detained. She admitted to detectives that after being sent home, she drove to a nearby park, then chose to return armed with the knife, intending to kill the victim. She acknowledged entering the restaurant through the back and concealing her appearance to avoid recognition.
The victim was an employee for 15 years and was a single mother of six. Her death has deeply affected her family and the local community. In her memory, family and community members held a balloon release vigil at the restaurant on July 14. A GoFundMe was set up to support her children’s education and welfare.
The defendant is being held in the county jail on the high bond and entered a not-guilty plea at her July 11 arraignment. Her attorney requested that she undergo a competency and culpability evaluation before moving forward with trial proceedings, citing concerns based on police reports and interviews. The judge granted this request, postponing the probable cause conference until September 3, and removing the preliminary examination originally scheduled for July 30.
The investigation into the stabbing continues. Court records show the defendant has at least one prior conviction involving a knife-related injury, reviewed during her arraignment.
Featured Image – 26-year-old A. Muhamad
