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Police were investigating potential motives after a Michigan employee allegedly attacked his company’s president with a knife during a workplace meeting on Tuesday, according to local news outlet WOOD-TV in Grand Rapids.
Nathan Mahoney, 32, is accused of stabbing the president of Anderson Express, a Muskegon-based manufacturing company. Days after the incident, investigators were still working to understand the reasoning behind the alleged assault.
President of Michigan company stabbed by employee during staff meeting, police say https://t.co/PAkG9OWJEC via @usatoday ANOTHER COPCAT CEO KILLER NATHAN MAHONEY pic.twitter.com/OMUilVADCk
— Corey Greene (@CoreyGr70615480) December 20, 2024
The Fruitport Township Police Department suggested one troubling possibility: the attack might have been influenced by the recent killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York City.
“We haven’t ruled out copycat motive in regards to this,” Deputy Chief Greg Poulson told WOOD-TV. “I think that comes to everyone’s mind in this time. We’re going through all his social accounts, all his electronic media and trying to determine a motive for this act.”
“It seems to be the popular thing in this day and age,” Poulson added.
The incident occurred during a staff meeting when Mahoney, who was present initially, briefly left the room. He returned approximately 10 minutes later and allegedly stabbed the company president in the side.
According to MLive, Mahoney fled in his vehicle but was apprehended by law enforcement within 15 minutes. The following day, he faced arraignment on charges of assault with intent to murder, WOOD-TV reported.
“Fellow employees described the suspect as having a quiet demeanor and a motive for the stabbing has not been established at this time,” Fruitport Township police said in a statement. “The victim is currently out of surgery and remains in serious but stable condition.”
Nathan Mahoney stabbed company President at staff meeting around 9am Dec 17
“It seems to be the popular thing in this day and age”-Deputy Chief Greg Poulson
Anderson Express Inc is “a Tier 1 supplier to the automotive, military, and power generation industries” per its homepage pic.twitter.com/azzq01cYqo
— Matt (@PartisanPitfall) December 20, 2024
Reports from WOOD-TV indicate that Mahoney had been employed at Anderson Express for just two weeks and “was being trained to replace a retiring employee at a high position in the company.”
An Anderson Express spokesperson told MLive, “We remain in shock over the incident that happened at our plant yesterday. Our first thought is with our president, who has a good prognosis for a full and speedy recovery. We are also focused on supporting our employees as they process this senseless assault.”
