Popeyes must work to prevent further violence at its stores

Photo courtesy of Mike Mozart, Flickr

The Popeyes chicken sandwich craze has led to deadly consequences as a man was fatally stabbed for cutting in line to purchase the sandwich. 

Kevin Tyrell Davis, 28, was stabbed to death at a Maryland Popeyes when he cut his way into a line that was designated for people ordering the famous chicken sandwich. An unidentified man who was waiting in line for the re-released sandwich confronted David got into an altercation and cut him, authorities stated.

The two men were outside when the argument became violent as the man pulled a knife on Davis and stabbed him. 

Authorities were called and Davis was rushed to the hospital where he succumbed to his injuries and passed away on Nov. 4. 

“The question my detectives have to answer is how does a confrontation lead to a homicide in 15 seconds,” Police Chief Hank Stawinski said in a statement on Nov. 5.

Stawinski called the crime “pointless” and “horrible” as they began their investigation. The unidentified man fled the scene after committing the crime. 

Popeyes released a statement following Davis’ death:

"We do not yet know whether this was the result of a dispute over one of our products or something unrelated, but there is no reason for someone to lose their life on a Monday night in a parking lot," the statement read. Popeyes said it was “very sad to hear about the tragedy in Maryland. Our thoughts are with the victim’s family and friends and we are fully cooperating with local authorities.”

Police were able to identify 30-year-old Ricoh McClain, of District Heights, MD on Nov. 12, The Washington Post reported.

The Popeyes chicken sandwich made its debut in early August 2019, and people went crazy over it. Customers were lining the streets for weeks to get a taste of the surprisingly popular chicken sandwich. 

People were traveling to Popeyes locations far and wide because locations everywhere were selling out of the product almost instantaneously. 

The Popeyes violence continued after a Popeyes worker body-slammed a customer at a Tennessee Popeyes on Nov. 5. 

Deriance Ra’Shaiel Hughes, 29, was charged with felony aggravated assault over the weekend after body-slamming Debra Staggs, 55, outside of the Popeyes that he worked at. 

The altercation stemmed from her trying to receive a refund after being charged twice for her meal.

These two incidents are among several that have occurred at Popeyes all over the country. Many customers, as well as employees, are being attacked for no reason at all. 

Disputes over the sandwiches happen all over, leaving the public to wonder what is in these sandwiches that make people do such irrational things. 

Law enforcement needs to do more in order to protect innocent people from those who are willing to commit such crimes. 

America is faced with senseless acts of violence like these far too often each year, and law enforcement needs to start doing something about it. The legal punishments are not harsh enough, and something needs to be done immediately so that innocent people are safe. 

 

aandres@ramapo.edu