Man charged after 3 attacked with hatchet in Wrightwood McDonald's, prosecutors say

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A Chicago man has been charged with attempted murder after three people were attacked inside a Wrightwood McDonald's, Chicago police said.

Jermaine Allen, 24, of Chicago has been charged with three counts of attempted murder, three counts of aggravated battery/use of a deadly weapon and three counts of aggravated battery/great bodily harm.

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Police said Allen was arrested several hours after three people were injured at a McDonald's in the 7800-block of South Western Avenue on Sunday.

Police said Allen demanded free food at the restaurant and took out a hatchet-like object and struck the victims, an 18-year-old man and two 45-year-old women.

Alejandra Dominguez, one of the women who was injured in the attack, said she's starting to feel better but remains in a lot of pain. She said she was struck twice with an axe, cutting her on her back and chest.

The man and one of the women were each transported to a hospital in good condition and one of the women was hospitalized in serious condition, police said.

In a bond hearing Tuesday, prosecutors argued Allen was already out of jail on pre-trial release before the McDonalds attack, which they said demonstrates a blatant disregard for court orders.

Allen's mother, who declined to be interviewed on camera, said her son had recently been getting treatment at a mental health hospital but had been released. She said he suffers from paranoid schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, and has not taken his medication for some time.

Prosecutors said Allen was a regular customer at the McDonald's and on the morning of the attack had gone in to ask for free coffee, then sat on the counter before pulling out an axe and attacking employees.

Dominguez said the manager saw what was happening, yelled at Allen to stop and then he went after her. Prosecutors said that manager was critically injured, suffering a fractured skull.

Prosecutors said Allen was already facing drug and retail threat charges from prior unrelated cases, and had a previous conviction for unlawful use of a weapon. He is being held in jail and will not be released.

Allen is due back in court later this week.

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