Update: Salem Man Facing Murder Charge in Connection With Mall Stabbing

A 23-year-old Salem man is accused of stabbing and killing a co-worker at PF Chang’s Restaurant at the Northshore Mall late Saturday afternoon.

Jaquan Huston will be arraigned on a first-degree murder charge in Peabody District Court on Monday morning, according to Essex County District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett.

The DA’s office originally stated Huston’s age as 53 and apologized for the error.

Peabody police were called to the restaurant at about 5:40 p.m. on Saturday for a report of an assault in progress.

Police found 38-year-old Elivelton Dias of Salem who had been stabbed. He was taken to North Shore Medical Center in Salem, where he was pronounced dead on arrival, according to Blodgett.

According to eyewitnesses, Huston allegedly stabbed Dias man in the back with a kitchen knife, Blodgett said. Huston then fled towards Salem.

Salem police were made aware of the incident and the suspect and arrested Huston.

Peabody Police Chief Thomas Griffin said the incident took place in the kitchen and that many people at the restaurant were not aware of what happened at the time.

He also added that the public was not at risk, and that it was an unfortunate incident that took place between two people who worked together at PF Chang’s.

At 10 p.m. on Saturday, crime scene tape was in front of the doors of PF Changs and detectives and law enforcement personnel were still on the scene investigating.

Police and the DA’s office did not say if there was a motivation for the crime.