A Pennsylvania man has been arrested for allegedly stabbing a Planet Fitness employee after he was banned from the gym.
Davier Massey, 28, is accused of storming the workout facility twice on Thursday in Cheltenham Township, 30 minutes outside of Philadelphia.
Police said Massey, who has been charged with attempted first-degree murder, was outraged after being banned the day before because of an unpaid bill.
In the first instance, Massey arrived at Planet Fitness sometime in the morning, but quickly left.
But at 12.30pm, the Cheltenham Township Police Department was dispatched to the business over claims that Massey stormed the building and caused a violent ‘disturbance’.
Arguments between Massey and the gym employee dramatically escalated, prompting the suspect to allegedly stab the victim multiple times.
‘A male patient with multiple stab wounds was located and transported to an area trauma center for treatment for life-threatening injuries,’ read a statement from the police department.
The victim has not been named, but is reportedly recovering at the hospital, according to Law & Crime.
Davier Massey, 28, was arrested for allegedly stabbing a Planet Fitness gym employee
The Planet Fitness located in Cheltenham Township, Pennsylvania, closed temporarily following the alleged violence
Police arrested Massey ‘a short distance away’ within the Cedarbrook Shopping Plaza.
In a statement obtained by WPVI, a representative for Planet Fitness said they were ‘saddened’ by reports of the erratic altercation.
‘At Planet Fitness, the safety and well-being of our team members and members is our top priority,’ a representative said.
‘Our thoughts are with the team member as they recover.
‘We appreciate local law enforcement’s quick action, and the franchise owner is fully supporting them in their investigation.’
According to their website, Planet Fitness ‘does not tolerate verbal or physical harassment of any member or team member for any reason.’
‘Violations by members may result in cancellation of membership,’ read the policy.
Cheltenham Police responded to the scene at around 12.30pm on Thursday. They found the suspect nearby in the same shopping center
Cheltenham’s Planet Fitness was closed the rest of the day following the chaotic incident, reported NBC Philadelphia.
‘Closed due to an unexpected emergency,’ signs read. ‘We apologize for any inconvenience.’
Cheltenham Township Planet Fitness members told the outlet that they were ‘concerned,’ especially considering the sense of community within the gym.
‘Everybody knows everybody in there,’ member Isley Robinson said. ‘It’s one big community, so it’s really shocking.’
‘There’s a bunch of Planet Fitnesses if you’re banned from this one, go to the next one,’ said member Eric Coleman.
‘Everybody comes in here for the same reason… I don’t know what it was, but it didn’t have to get to that.’
Massey was charged with multiple counts, including attempted first-degree murder and aggravated assault
Massey was charged with criminal attempted first-degree murder, aggravated assault, reckless endangerment, harassment and making terroristic threats.
He also racked up counts for criminal mischief, disorderly conduct, simple assault and possession of an instrument of crime.
According to his LinkedIn page, Massey worked as a case manager at Morgan & Morgan until mid-2024.
He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and Business Management from Lincoln University of Pennsylvania in 2022.
Massey is being held without bail at Montgomery County Correctional Facility. He will appear in court for a preliminary hearing on April 16.
Massey has yet to enter a plea.
The Daily Mail contacted Planet Fitness and the Cheltenham Township Police Department for comment.