An arrest has been made in connection with the fatal stabbing of a female employee at the Family Dollar on Brainerd Road. Patrick Bernard Cunningham, 33, of S. Howell Ave., is facing charges of first-degree murder and especially aggravated robbery after the tragic incident that occurred Tuesday morning.
At around 9 a.m., police responded to a report of an employee who had been stabbed at the Family Dollar, located at 5000 Brainerd Road. The victim was rushed to the hospital in critical condition but later died from her injuries.
Witnesses described the suspect as a black male wearing a white shirt and gray jogging pants, seen fleeing on foot toward a nearby liquor store. Less than 10 minutes later, an officer spotted a man matching the description at the intersection of S. Howell Ave. and Sunbeam Avenue.
According to police, Cunningham immediately confessed to the officer, saying, “I did it,” and revealed he had discarded the knife on top of the liquor store. The weapon, later recovered, appeared to have blood on it.
Video footage from the store showed Cunningham entering and approaching the cash register where three female employees were working. One of the employees fell to the ground, and Cunningham can be seen stabbing her multiple times. The store manager, who was behind the register, reported that Cunningham demanded money and asked, “Do you know who I am?” He reportedly struggled to open the register, leading to the violent attack.
It was also revealed that Cunningham was a frequent customer at the Family Dollar store.
Cunningham’s arrest is a significant step in solving this horrific crime, with authorities continuing their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the attack.