Fatal Stabbing of Teen in Queens McDonald’s Shocks Community
The heartbroken relatives of a 14-year-old boy who was fatally stabbed in a Queens-based McDonald’s argue that the youth of the alleged culprits doesn’t absolve them of their horrifying acts. Authorities have detained two teenagers, aged 14 and 16, linking them to the tragic murder of Julian Corniell on Valentine’s Day. The older adolescent, apprehended on Thursday, is now facing homicide charges.
“Being 16 isn’t a valid reason. Being a teenager isn’t a valid reason,” expressed the deceased’s aunt, Sheila Corniell, 40. “One may argue that boys will be boys, but shouldn’t that imply youthful exuberance instead of violent actions? It surely doesn’t justify wielding weapons.”
Julian had embarked on his high school journey in Long Island City last year; however, due to persistent bullying and a violent assault by a group of peers that resulted in a hospital stay, he switched to Hillcrest High School situated in Jamaica last November, according to details shared by his mother.
“Our kids aren’t safe in the streets, in a McDonald’s outlet, in school or even on public transport. So, where are they supposed to be safe?” pleaded the distraught aunt on a Saturday, questioning the safety measures in place for their children.
On the fatal afternoon of Feb. 14, Julian had yet another unfortunate encounter with a group of youths intending to harm him. He had visited the McDonald’s with a trio of friends near 38th St. and Queens Blvd., Sunnyside, and stumbled upon a large group donning ski and surgical masks.
“Sunnyside doesn’t portray a notorious image. It’s not a location that instills fear into an individual to be vigilant at 3pm on a sunny day. Especially on Valentine’s Day,” Sheila Corniell dialogued. “Halloween would be understandable, but this was a Friday on Valentine’s Day.”
After the incident erupted at McDonald’s, Julian was pursued down the street where the crowd of teenagers launched their assault. “Within moments after the brawl initiated, an individual attacked Julian,” revealed Sheila Corniell. “Following his injury, Julian attempted fleeing the premises, with the angry mob hot on his trail.”
As Julian convulsed on the floor fighting for his life, a former classmate and friend held his hand and tried to staunch the flow from his wound. Emergency services transported Julian to the New York-Presbyterian Hospital Weill Cornell in Manhattan, but the efforts to save him were in vain.
The police detained a 14-year-old boy from the location, pressing charges for gang assault. This incident brought back memories of a similar tragedy that had occurred in Sunnyside last year, where a 15-year-old girl was accused of stabbing 17-year-old Sara Rivera near the Queens Blvd. entrance to the 46th-Bliss Street subway station. The teen victim shared a connection with Julian’s family.
“Julian was distraught by the event, yet he knew he was powerless due to his tender age,” intimated Nahomi Varona, 28, another aunt of Julian. To this, Sheila Corniell added, “Here we are a year later, grappling with the same ordeal, mere blocks away from the previous incident. What is causing such mayhem in our city? And all for what? It’s all so pointless, over trivialities.”
The grieving family made it a point to attend the court arraignment of the 16-year-old suspect on Thursday, listening to an assistant district attorney recount the heart-wrenching specifics of their traumatic loss. “Every fact felt like a blow to our hearts,” said Nahomi Varona.
The charged teenager seemed indifferent and devoid of any emotion in front of Julian’s family, who were seeing him for the first time. “We don’t recognize him. We’ve never seen him before in our lives. He’s never intertwined paths with us,” Sheila Corniell stated. “It was a startling shock to see his size. Our dear nephew Julian was of a diminutive stature, measuring only 5 feet 3 inches and tipping the scale at just 120 pounds. Despite being 14, Julian was petite for his age.”
The NYPD is still prying into this distressing case. Julian’s mother, Julia Verona, expressed, “We are entrusting the NYPD with our faith to unveil the truth behind the incidents deeply embedded in that horrifying day.”
“We are sincerely appreciative that they aren’t taking this lightly,” she conveyed. “We are indebted to their committed efforts in the ongoing investigation. As this was a ghastly incident, we wish no other family goes through the torment we are currently enduring.”