A 28-year-old man was stabbed to death during a fight that broke out in the queue for the popular chicken sandwich at a Popeyes restaurant in Oxon Hill, Maryland, on Monday night. The altercation occurred shortly after the chain brought back the sandwich nationwide on Sunday, following its initial sell-out earlier this year.
Police reported that the fight began when one man accused another of cutting the line designated for the chicken sandwich. The confrontation continued outside the restaurant, where the victim was stabbed multiple times by an unidentified assailant. Officers found the victim in the parking lot and rushed him to a hospital, where he died shortly after.
Prince George's County police spokesperson Jennifer Donelan expressed dismay at the incident, stating, “Knowing these details and knowing what happened here and knowing that a life was taken, it is hard to put into words.” Neither the victim nor the suspect has been identified publicly.
Employees at the Oxon Hill location condemned the violence. One worker told NBC Washington, “It’s grown people. That’s just dumb. You’re grown, fighting over a chicken sandwich. That’s kid stuff.” Police have urged the suspect to surrender and called on witnesses to contact the tip line.
The Popeyes chicken sandwich sparked widespread attention during its initial release in August, with long lines forming at outlets across the country. The chain announced its return on Sunday, a day when its competitor Chick-fil-A is closed, and said it would hire more staff to meet demand.
