MANHATTAN, N.Y. (PIX11) — A man is accused of repeatedly stabbing a 19-year-old Australian tourist inside a Manhattan McDonald’s overnight, according to police and sources.

The teen was attacked while eating his food at the fast-food chain at West 35th Street and Eighth Avenue near Penn Station at around 2:07 a.m. Monday, according to the NYPD.

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Juan Mercedes, 25, allegedly stabbed the tourist multiple times in the torso, police said. The victim was taken to the hospital for treatment.

Police said the incident appeared to be unprovoked,

Mercedes, a Florida resident, was arrested at the scene and charged with assault.

His arraignment was pending Monday.

Mira Wassef is an award-winning reporter who has covered news and sports in the NYC area for more than a decade. She joined the PIX11 News digital team in 2022. See more of her work here.

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