A tragic incident unfolded in Queens, New York, where a 14-year-old boy was fatally stabbed during a chaotic brawl at a McDonald’s. The victim, Julian Corniell, lost his life to multiple stab wounds, leaving his family devastated. Police have arrested another 14-year-old in connection with the attack, but many questions remain unanswered.
Victim Identified as 14-Year-Old Julian Corniell
Julian Corniell, a freshman at Hillcrest High School, was stabbed during a fight that broke out in the parking lot of a McDonald’s near 38th Street and Queens Boulevard in Sunnyside. The incident happened around 3:30 p.m. on Friday. He was rushed to Weill Cornell Medical Center, where he later died from his injuries.
His mother, Julia Verona, described the heartbreaking loss of her only son. “I feel very destroyed. I don’t know what to do. I am a single mother of four kids. Julian was my only boy,” she said. The tragedy has left the entire family in shock and mourning.
A Loving Brother and a Victim of Bullying
Julian was described as a bright and caring young boy who loved soccer and video games. According to his mother, he was also very protective of his three younger sisters and often took care of them.
However, Julian had a history of being bullied. Verona revealed that he was previously attacked by a group of ten kids in middle school in Jackson Heights, an incident that left him hospitalized. Because of these experiences, he often felt unsafe going out alone.
Questions Surrounding the Deadly Incident
The circumstances of Julian’s death remain unclear. His mother expressed confusion about how he ended up in Sunnyside, as their family lives in Jamaica, Queens, which is far from the crime scene. On the morning of his death, Julian left home at 8:30 a.m., planning to buy a Valentine’s Day gift for a girl he liked. However, he never made it to school that day.
Police are investigating whether Julian and the suspect knew each other, though early reports suggest they may not have. The motive behind the stabbing is still unknown, and authorities are also looking into whether gang involvement played a role.
Suspect Arrested and Investigation Ongoing
The suspect, whose identity has not been made public due to his age, has been charged with first-degree gang assault. However, detectives are still working to determine the full details of the incident, including whether the suspect acted alone or if others were involved.
Julian’s mother insists that her son was not involved in any street violence. “My son is not a street kid,” she said. “He always came straight home from school to take care of his younger siblings.”
A Heartbroken Family Seeking Justice
Julian’s family is struggling to come to terms with his death. His mother, grandmother, father, and aunt gathered at his grandmother’s apartment, unable to face their home without him.
“I don’t want to go home. I don’t want to find his bed without him there,” Verona said, breaking down in tears. His aunt, Sheila Corniell, added, “Julian was not a statistic. He was not someone that was just gonna fall into the cracks.”
The grieving family now seeks justice for Julian and hopes that the investigation will reveal the truth behind this senseless killing.
The tragic stabbing of Julian Corniell has left a deep impact on his family and the community. His death highlights the growing concern over youth violence and bullying. While police continue their investigation, Julian’s family is left mourning the loss of a bright, caring boy who had his whole life ahead of him. His story serves as a painful reminder of the urgent need to address teen violence and ensure safer environments for young people.