A routine shopping trip turned violent Wednesday night when a 19-year-old woman was stabbed inside a children’s sneaker store at Southland Mall in Taylor, Michigan. Police say the attack happened after a confrontation involving a 40-year-old woman whose credit card had been declined at the register.
The victim, identified as Suniya Jenkins, spoke from her hospital bed to FOX 2 Detroit about the frightening ordeal. “To start, I was stabbed four times, and I have a punctured lung right now,” Jenkins said. “I think it was unfair to me to get stabbed, but that’s really all I can say.”
According to investigators, Jenkins was walking by the Kids Footlocker when she heard a commotion near the counter. Inside, a woman was arguing with an employee after her card was declined. Jenkins said she glanced into the store when the woman suddenly turned her anger toward her, according to local Fox.
“As the argument got verbal, she put her hand in her purse and proceeded to tell me she was going to shoot me,” Jenkins recalled. “I did not see or even know I was stabbed until after the physical altercation.”
Instead of pulling out a gun, the suspect drew a kitchen knife and attacked. Jenkins was stabbed twice in the neck, once in the stomach, and once in the thigh before the altercation ended.
Police sources told reporters that the dispute may have escalated after someone made a remark about the suspect being “broke.” Jenkins, however, insists she made no such comment and had no prior interaction with the woman before the attack.
Despite the severity of her injuries, Jenkins says she wants to see justice done, but also expressed compassion for her attacker. “I would love to press charges. I am going to press charges, but it does sadden me because I don’t want her to be taken away from her children, I truly don’t,” she said.
Officers quickly arrested the 40-year-old suspect at the scene. Police confirmed she had children with her during the incident, though none were harmed. Shoppers at the mall described the scene as chaotic, with customers running for safety as authorities and paramedics rushed to the store.
Jenkins was taken to a nearby hospital, where she is now recovering. The suspect remains in custody as prosecutors review potential felony charges. Investigators are continuing to piece together what led to the violent encounter inside the busy retail store.