TOLEDO, OH — A community is in shock after a 14-year-old boy was fatally stabbed in Toledo’s Point Place neighborhood on Saturday evening. Police have identified the victim as Xander Epps, a local teenager whose life was cut short in a violent altercation that ended just steps away from a busy fast-food restaurant.

According to the Toledo Police Department, officers were called to the McDonald’s at North Summit Street and 124th Street around 8:25 p.m. after receiving reports of a stabbing victim. Authorities said Xander, who had been stabbed moments earlier down the street, ran into the McDonald’s seeking help. Witnesses reported seeing him collapse inside as shocked staff and customers tried to assist until first responders arrived.

Emergency crews treated Xander at the scene before rushing him to a nearby hospital. Despite medical efforts, he succumbed to his injuries. His death was confirmed later that night.

Suspect Arrested

Within hours, police arrested a 16-year-old suspect, who has since been charged with murder. Due to his age, authorities have not released his name, in line with state law and WTOL’s editorial policy, unless prosecutors later decide to charge him as an adult. Detectives have not yet disclosed a possible motive, though investigators are interviewing witnesses and reviewing surveillance footage from the area.

Scene Shakes Neighborhood

At least eight employees and customers were inside the McDonald’s when Xander staggered in for help. Police cordoned off the restaurant with crime scene tape well into the night as witnesses were questioned. Residents of Point Place described the scene as “heartbreaking and surreal,” noting that violence of this nature is rare in the tight-knit neighborhood.

“I saw the flashing lights and my heart sank,” said one local resident who lives nearby. “To know it was a child, just 14 years old, it’s devastating.”

Community Response

Xander’s death has left friends, family, and classmates reeling. Social media has since filled with tributes to the teenager, remembering him as kind-hearted, funny, and full of potential. Local leaders and school officials have extended condolences to his family, promising additional counseling services for students affected by the tragedy.

The stabbing marks yet another instance of youth violence in the Toledo area, raising concerns among parents and community advocates about safety and the urgent need for resources to address conflict resolution and mental health for teens.

Ongoing Investigation

Police have not released further details about the circumstances leading up to the stabbing. The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities are urging anyone with additional information to contact Crime Stoppers.

For now, Toledo mourns the loss of a young life cut tragically short, as a family faces the unimaginable pain of burying their 14-year-old son.