Detroit man charged in fatal stabbing outside downtown Detroit Chipotle

Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy has charged Devon Jason Watson, 42, of Detroit, in connection with the fatal stabbing of Jaquoya Wix, 34, of Detroit.

Detroit police officers were dispatched to the Detroit Chiptle in the 600 block of Woodward Avenue for a reported stabbing. On September 20, 2026, at approximately 2:34 p.m., according to prosecutors.

Prosecutors say that officers located Wix in the alley behind the restaurant, receiving treatment by medics for multiple stab wounds before she was transported to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

Watson allegedly approached Wix while she was sitting in the alley during her break and stabbed her multiple times with a knife, before fleeing the scene, prosecutors say. An investigation by the Detroit Police Department led to Watson's arrest shortly thereafter.

Watson was charged with one count of first-degree premeditated murder, and according to the prosecutor's office, Watson and Wix did not know each other.  

"It is alleged that the actions of the defendant appeared to be random, but we're confident we would be able to prove in court beyond a reasonable doubt, and we will be able to charge and prove premeditated first-degree murder in the court of law."

Watson is expected to be arraigned this afternoon at 3:15 p.m., before Magistrate Jeffrey Kleparek, in 36th District Court.

Wix had stepped outside around 2:30 p.m. Sunday during a break at her job at the Chipotle restaurant on Woodward Avenue when the attack happened. 

Wix ran to a nearby business and collapsed outside. An employee at another nearby business saw the man with a weapon and chased him, but he got away before officers arrived. Investigators used surveillance cameras and other technology downtown to find him about 20 minutes later, and he was taken into custody. Police said a weapon believed to be the one used in the stabbing has since been found.

Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield said it appeared to be an unprovoked attack by a person "suffering from severe mental health issues." Investigators said that, based on what they know so far, there was very little interaction between Wix and the man before the stabbing.

A community vigil to remember Wix took place on Monday night on Woodward Avenue near the Chipotle. Family members described her as funny, talkative and caring, and said she was proud of her job and had hoped to be promoted soon.