16-year-old arrested in fatal stabbing of worker at Yonkers movie theater

YONKERS, New York (WABC) -- Police have made an arrest in the death of the young father who was killed at work, while the Westchester County community continues to mourn his death.

The violent encounter happened in Yonkers, at the Showcase Cinemas on Fitzgerald Street, around midnight Saturday.

Police say 16-year-old Michael Pettiford approached 19-year-old Daij Thomas in the lobby, and that they fought before Pettiford stabbed Thomas in the chest with a knife.

It is believed that the incident was targeted, possibly stemming from an earlier dispute between the two.

Pettiford is charged with second-degree murder.

Family and friends gathered at a vigil outside Thomas' home to remember him.

"We're going through complete hell," girlfriend Tia Peterson said. "We lost our favorite person ever. I know he was my favorite. He was my everything. He was my best friend, my boyfriend, the father of my child."

Thomas started working at the theater on Tuesday.

Anyone with additional information on the case is asked to call (914) 377-7724.