Arby's Manager Murdered In Hickory Hills; 1 Person in Custody

HICKORY HILLS, IL -- One person is in custody after an altercation at a Hickory Hills fast food restaurant that resulted in the death of its night manager. Hickory Hills police responded to a disturbance at Arby’s late Wednesday evening. Police issued a one-sentence statement saying they had someone in custody and that the investigation is ongoing.

Family members identified the manager as 35-year-old John Price, who lived with his disabled mother in Chicago Ridge. The family said that Hickory Hills police provided no further information, except to tell them that Price was dead.

“The only report I’ve seen is on Facebook saying it was an employee-on-employee stabbing, but that hasn’t been confirmed,” said Mike Bozek, the boyfriend of Price’s sister. “The family is just devastated. They lost their dad a year ago.”

A police source said that the South Suburban Major Crimes Task Force was activated Wednesday night. According to the source, the entire incident was captured on video, including the disposal of an unknown weapon. The person in custody has not yet been charged. Arby’s remained closed Thursday morning and its parking lot entrances blocked off.

Price’s aunt, Laura Stanton, said the family doesn’t know if her nephew was stabbed or shot, or if the altercation was a robbery gone wrong.

“They just said he was dead,” Stanton said. “My sister wanted to see her son’s body. They wouldn’t let us. [Police] are still getting forensics.”

Stanton described her nephew as hardworking and diligent.

“All he would do was work, go home, sleep, get up, take care of his mom and go back to work,” she said.

Price’s brother, Daniel, has set up an online fundraising campaign for Price's burial expenses at YouCaring Compassionate Crowdfunding. The family is trying to raise $5,000:

“On September 20 my brother John Price went to work and never came home. My family is losing someone who made us laugh and smile, a man I looked up to as a child. He was generous and took care of his family and if you knew him he would make you smile. He didn't deserve his fate and now my family weeps and it tears at our hearts to know we will not hear his voice anymore, know his familiar goofy personality or his kind ways any longer. I am hurting so much and I can only tell you that I love you and miss you.”