In a tragic incident that unfolded in the early hours of Sunday, a 16-year-old teenager from Waldorf, Maryland, was fatally stabbed following a disagreement over a fast-food dipping sauce.
The suspect, a 16-year-old girl also from Waldorf, has been ordered by a Washington, D.C., Superior Court magistrate judge to be detained at a secure juvenile facility until her next court appearance on Friday.
The suspect is facing charges of second-degree murder and multiple other offenses in connection with the fatal stabbing of the victim, Naima Liggon, as reported by FOX 5 DC. Judge Sherri Beatty-Arthur, before announcing her decision, informed the court that the incident was a "dispute over sauce."
The incident occurred around 2:10 a.m. on Sunday when a group of teenagers stopped at a 24-hour McDonalds located at U Street and 14th Street Northwest in Washington. They had driven from Maryland to attend a party in D.C. During the juvenile hearing on Monday, it was disclosed that a disagreement over McDonald's sweet and sour dipping sauce had sparked an argument inside the vehicle, which subsequently escalated into a physical altercation.
The defense attorney for the accused argued that the suspect had stabbed Liggon in self-defense after being attacked during the fight. However, the prosecution refuted this claim, alleging that surveillance footage showed the fight had concluded when the suspect lunged at Liggon as she was returning to the vehicle.
Liggon was rushed to Howard University Hospital with stab wounds to her abdomen and torso, where she was pronounced dead.
"Naima was a beautiful, smart, funny, and unique young lady who loved life. She was loved and admired by so many people. Naima loved music and the arts, basketball, and she was shaping up to be a master barber. She had just been hired to work at Krispy Kreme as a doughnut specialist and was preparing to get her drivers license," Naima's mother, Joy Liggon, told FOX 5. "The impact of this senseless loss has affected our family, our friends, and our community. Naima will never see her prom or her graduation. We will not get to see her graduate from college or get married or have kids."
Liggon was set to attend Thomas Stone High School in Waldorf, where Monday marked the first day of school. "This is not the news a principal ever wants to share, let alone the day before we start a new school year," said Principal Shanif Pearl in a statement. "I ask that you please keep Naimas family, friends, loved ones and our school community in your thoughts and prayers."
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