Teen charged with murder after 17-year-old coworker is stabbed to death in Texas McDonald's

A 17-year-old high school senior was stabbed to death in a restroom at a McDonald's in Harris County, Texas. A 16-year-old who worked alongside him now faces a murder charge in his death.

Reginald Harrell was not on the schedule on Oct. 7. His relatives say he agreed to cover the shift anyway.

What deputies found

Deputies with Constable Mark Herman's office were called to the restaurant on Louetta Road. They took a juvenile boy into custody when they got there and then found Harrell in the bathroom. Paramedics worked to revive him but he died at the scene.

Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez released Harrell's name a few hours later. Early findings suggest an argument between the two employees grew into a fight before the stabbing, the sheriff said. He described the case as a heartbreaking loss for two young lives.

The suspect has not been named because he is a minor. He is being held on the murder charge at the Harris County Juvenile Detention Center.

A family left without answers

Harrell's mother, Denisha Dennis, told Houston station KHOU that whatever led up to the attack does not change what her family lost. "He did not deserve this at all," she said. She added that she will never again get to talk with her son or hear him tell her he loves her.

His sister, Kourtnee Dennis, said she never imagined that seeing him leave home that day would be the final time she saw him. She told the station she does not know what took place in the restroom but believes her brother did not deserve to die that way. She remembered him as a quiet young man who held nothing back for the people closest to him.

Harrell had planned to train as a welder once he finished high school. After his death friends and relatives came together to release balloons in his honor.

The restaurant responds

Michael Gutierrez, who owns and runs the location, said in a written statement that the loss has left him saddened. He said his focus is on helping workers cope with what happened and that the restaurant is assisting investigators.