OXON HILL, Md. — The suspect accused of stabbing a man to death outside an Oxon Hill Popeyes has been charged with common law murder and carrying a dangerous weapon with intent to injure after an indictment was handed down Tuesday afternoon.
McClain, 30, and Kevin Davis, 28, were waiting in line for the newly-released Popeyes chicken sandwich on Nov. 4 when Davis worked his way through the front of a line of customers waiting for service, police said. Once toward the front of the line, a confrontation started with Davis and McClain, Prince George's County police said.
Seconds later, police said the argument was taken outside to the parking lot and Davis was stabbed.
"How does a confrontation lead to a homicide in 15 seconds?" PGPD Police Chief Hank Stawinski asked.
Davis was taken to a nearby hospital with life-threatening injuries and later died.
"This is pointless," Stawinski said. "This is disrespectful ... Again, what I think people are responding to and something I think we need to question how we are interacting with one another in society is how does a confrontation over cutting in line lead to death?" Stawinski said.
Police said McClain fled in a vehicle after he stabbed Davis, and a search began to bring McClain off the streets.
"For that type of anger and to develop to this level of violence is a sad and tragic day, and this person needs to turn themselves in," PGPD spokeswoman Jennifer Donelan said.
Investigators later tracked down McClain at a home on Nova Avenue in Capitol Heights. Authorities first believed McClain was the acquaintance of a person staying at that home.
McClain was first positively identified by a Prince George's County police officer, who looked at the surveillance images and recognized McClain from previous investigative stops, police said.
McClain was originally charged with first- and second-degree murder, first- and second-degree assault and reckless endangerment. A court commissioner ordered McClain to be held on a no-bond status at the Department of Corrections.
McClain was wanted on criminal warrants for failing to appear in court in a drug case and for failing to appear in court to face a charge of unauthorized removal of a motor vehicle, according to Maryland online court records.
While police said the argument started when Davis cut in line, friends of Davis said he wasn't stabbed over a chicken sandwich. To them, it was more than that.
Davis, known as KD, "was the light and heart of his family and friends, with a smile as bright as the sun," according to a GoFundMe page posted by Yolanda Barnes, of Upper Marlboro, Md., to raise money for Davis' funeral.
"He thoroughly enjoyed life and lived every day to its fullest," the post said. "He truly lived his 'best life!' He enjoyed creating music and the company of his community. KD will be dearly missed by all those who had the honor of knowing him."