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A 16-year-old teenager has been arrested and charged in connection to a recent stabbing outside a Washington, D.C. McDonald’s. According to WUSA9, the stabbing occurred early Sunday morning and left another teenager deceased.
According to Fox 5 DC, a group of teenagers drove from Maryland to a party in D.C., presumably on Saturday evening. Afterward, the group stopped at a 24-hour McDonald’s at the intersection of U and 14th Streets Northwest.
There, a “dispute over sauce” began in the vehicle, as per a later statement from Judge Sherri Beatty-Arthur. The dispute reportedly turned violent.
Detective Brendan Jasper has since testified that the argument was over “sweet-and-sour sauce,” as per the Washington Post.
According to Fox 5 DC, the group exited the car and continued the altercation “right outside” the McDonald’s. Sixteen-year-old Naima Liggon was reportedly stabbed in the abdomen and torso.
Liggon was ultimately pronounced dead at Howard University Hospital.
According to a news release published Sunday from the Metropolitan Police, authorities were notified “of a juvenile female seeking treatment for stab wounds.” Then, they arrived at the hospital around 2:10 a.m.
“Despite all lifesaving efforts, the victim succumbed to her injuries,” the news release read. “As a result of the detectives’ investigation, it was determined that the stabbing occurred outside of an establishment at the listed location. The victim was transported to a local hospital in a privately owned vehicle.”
Additionally, authorities revealed that they arrested a “16-year-old juvenile female of Waldorf, MD.”
“At the time of her arrest, the suspect was found to be in possession of a knife,” authorities added.
Additionally, NBC Washington reports that the suspect has been charged with “second-degree murder while armed, assault with intent to kill, aggravated assault, felony assault, and carrying a dangerous weapon.”
WUSA9 reports that the suspect has since alleged that the stabbing “was done in self-defense” and claims that she was “knocked to the ground” by Liggon and another teen. According to the Fox 5 DC, Judge Sherri Beatty-Arthur has ordered the suspect to be held in a “secured juvenile facility” pending her next court hearing on Friday.
According to WUSA9, the Liggon family released a statement in memory of the 16-year-old on Monday.
Naima was a beautiful, smart, funny, and unique young lady who loved life. She was loved and admired by so many people… she was shaping up to be a master barber. She had just been hired to work at Krispy Kreme as a doughnut specialist and was preparing to get her drivers license. The impact of this senseless loss has affected our family, our friends, and our community. Naima will never see her prom or her graduation. We will not get to see her graduate from college or get married or have kids.”
Additionally, the statement urged fellow parents and families to “love on your kids.”
“If I had one message for parents it’s: love on your kids. Make sure they know they are loved when they walk out your door Because you never know if that may be the last time you see them. We love Naima and will miss her incredibly and She left a lasting imprint on our hearts. I pray for our family and her friends and also for the family of the young lady who took her life.”
Furthermore, the principal of the high school Liggon attended, Thomas Stone High School, also shared a statement on Monday.
I am deeply saddened to share with you the news about the tragic loss of a Thomas Stone High School student…Naima Liggon… This is a heartbreaking and tragic time for our school community. This is not the news a principal ever wants to share, let alone the day before we start a new school year. I ask that you please keep Naima’s family, friends, loved ones and our school community in your thoughts and prayers…”
