Man Fatally Stabbed In Midway-Area McDonald's ​Parking Lot

SAN DIEGO, CA — A man was killed in a late-morning stabbing outside a Midway-area fast-food restaurant Wednesday.

The assailant arrived at the McDonald's in the 3800 block of Midway Drive, near Sports Arena Boulevard, in a light-colored minivan shortly before 11:30 a.m., got out and attacked the victim without hesitation, according to the San Diego Police Department.

"The (assailant) exited the vehicle and immediately began to chase the victim in circles in the parking lot," SDPD Lt. Jud Campbell said. "During the chase, the (attacker) repeatedly stabbed at the victim with what appeared to be a knife. Detectives have determined the minivan was driven by a second person who drove through the lot with (a) sliding door open."

Following the assault, the killer -- described as a roughly 5-foot-8- inch, 210-pound man -- got back into the vehicle and was driven out of the area to the west, according to police.

The deadly encounter played out rapidly.

"The entire incident concluded in less than 30 seconds," Campbell said.

Patrol officers and witnesses provided first-aid to the wounded man prior to the arrival of paramedics, who took him to UC San Diego Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. The name of the victim, who was believed to be in his mid-30s, was not immediately available.

The circumstances that led to the stabbing were unknown.

"I think it's too early to speculate, although it really does seem like there was (some prior dispute) maybe ... that led up to this," Campbell told reporters.

Campbell noted that there were numerous surveillance cameras in the busy area that could have captured images of the fatal assault.

"I'm pretty confident there's going to be video (evidence)," Campbell said.

— City News Service