NYC McDonald's Near Penn Station Dubbed 'Murder McDonald's' After Tourist Stabbing
A 19-year-old Australian tourist was stabbed in the ribs and back at a McDonald's located at 490 Eighth Avenue in Manhattan, near Penn Station, around 2 a.m. on Monday. The incident, described as largely unprovoked, occurred while the tourist was eating inside the 24/7 establishment. The victim was rushed to Bellevue Hospital and is in stable condition. Police arrested Juan Mercedes, 25, of Florida, and charged him with second-degree assault. This McDonald's location has gained an infamous reputation among locals, who refer to it as the 'Murder McDonald's' due to its association with drug dealers, individuals from a nearby methadone clinic, and other illicit activities, particularly after dark. Despite an 11% dip in major crimes in the NYPD Midtown South precinct, which patrols the area, murders have increased from two in 2025 to three so far this year. 
