A Detroit man has been charged with one count of first degree, premeditated murder in connection with the death of a Chipotle restaurant worker.
Devon Jason Watson, 42, of Detroit, was charged Wednesday, three days after Jaquoya Wix, 34, was attacked while taking a break behind the restaurant, which is located in the 600 block on Woodward Avenue, Sunday afternoon, according to Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy.
Worthy says Watson approached the victim while she was sitting in the alley and stabbed her multiple times with a knife, before leaving the scene. He was arrested by Detroit police a short time later.
The defendant and the victim did not know each other, according to Worthy.
"Premeditation in Michigan law can be a few moments in time, it can be weeks of planning, it could be years of planning, it could be months of planning," Worthy told reporters during a news conference at the Wayne County Criminal Justice Center. "We are alleging today that he premeditated his actions."
In a statement released shortly after the incident, Mayor Mayor Sheffield said it appears the suspect was suffering from severe mental health issues.
But Worthy says that may not matter.
"Let me says this to be very clear when I say it, just because someone may have, may have mental health issues does not mean they are not acutely responsible for their actions," Worthy said. She added her office will "work hard to bring justice to Jaquoya."
Wix had a teenaged daughter. A Go Fund Me account has been set up to help the family. As of Wednesday afternoon it had raised more than $35,000.
Watson was arraigned on the charge Wednesday afternoon in 36th District Court. He was ordered jailed without bond pending his next year September 30th.
