Detroit, Michigan — A 34-year-old mother was fatally stabbed while taking her lunch break behind a downtown Chipotle, in what authorities described as an unprovoked attack that unfolded in broad daylight over the weekend.

Jaquoya Wix was killed Sunday afternoon after a man in his 40s allegedly approached her in an alley near the restaurant and repeatedly stabbed her. Police later located and arrested a suspect, although authorities had not publicly identified him or formally announced the charges he was facing.

Mother Was Attacked During Her Lunch Break

Wix was working at the Chipotle restaurant in the 600 block of Woodward Avenue when she stepped away for her break, according to Detroit officials.

Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield said Wix was “taking a break” from work when she was targeted in what she described as “an unprovoked attack.”

The mayor also said the suspect was suffering from severe mental health issues.

“She was a mother with a 15-year-old daughter who attends school in Detroit, who loved her and has suffered the immeasurable loss of her mom,” Sheffield said in a statement.

The attack happened at approximately 2:30 p.m. in an alley behind the restaurant, where police said the suspect approached Wix while armed with a knife.

According to reports, the man stabbed her repeatedly before fleeing the area on foot.

Wix Managed to Reach a Nearby Business

Despite suffering multiple stab wounds, Wix was reportedly able to run toward a nearby business after the attack. She eventually collapsed there as emergency responders were called to the scene.

Paramedics transported Wix to Detroit Receiving Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. The suspect, meanwhile, reportedly fled on foot while still carrying the knife.

Investigators quickly began searching the surrounding area and reviewing surveillance footage from nearby businesses and locations.

Police Arrest Suspect About 20 Minutes Later

Surveillance video proved important in the search for the person responsible. According to local reports, police used footage from cameras in the area to track down the suspect approximately 20 minutes after the stabbing.

Officers located him and took him into custody. Authorities had not publicly identified the man at the time of the reports, and formal criminal charges had not yet been announced.

The investigation remains focused on determining exactly what led to the deadly confrontation and what circumstances preceded the attack.

Family Says Daughter Has Already Lost So Much

Wix’s death has left behind a teenage daughter and a grieving family. Her sister, Alicya Wix, launched a fundraising campaign to help with funeral expenses and support for Wix’s daughter, Kacya.

The family said Kacya has already experienced the loss of her father, who died when she was a baby, and has been living with her grandmother.

“Her passing was sudden and devastating, and our family is now facing the pain of laying her to rest while also trying to protect her daughter, Kacya’s future,” the page states. “Kacya has already lost so much. Her father passed away when she was a baby, and she has been living with her grandma. My sister had been working hard to get her life together and was trying so hard to get on the right path. She did not get the chance to keep moving forward or to be there for her daughter the way she was working toward.”

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The family’s comments highlight the sudden nature of Wix’s death and the impact it has had on her daughter.

Chipotle Responds to Deadly Attack

Chipotle said the company was cooperating with investigators following the stabbing.

A spokesperson said the company was “cooperating fully” with authorities and expressed hope that the person responsible would face prosecution.

“We are deeply saddened by the senseless act of violence that occurred today in downtown Detroit,” Laurie Schalow, the company’s chief corporate affairs and food safety officer, said. “Our thoughts are with the family and friends of those affected, as well as our Woodward Avenue restaurant team, during this incredibly difficult time.”

The attack has also affected employees at the Woodward Avenue restaurant, where Wix had been working before stepping away for what should have been an ordinary lunch break.

The investigation is expected to continue as authorities work to establish the circumstances surrounding the stabbing and determine the charges against the arrested suspect.

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