MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Police say a man working at a Highland Street restaurant stabbed another man in the chest during a confrontation Wednesday that began between two children.

John Griffin, 38, is charged with attempted second-degree murder.

Reginald Milligan told police his nephew was having an issue with Griffin’s son at school.

“His son kept telling my nephew he was going to shoot him. He was going to kill him,” Milligan said.

Milligan says he saw the student with his stepmother at Family Dollar and wanted to end the issues. He says Griffin’s wife told him to trail her to Griffin’s job at Smackers on South Highland Street.

Griffin allegedly came out of the restaurant irate and physically assaulted the other man, a police report states.

“I don’t know what he went in and told his daddy, but his daddy came out and he just was aggressive,” Milligan said. “His son had attacked my nephew, and he attacked me, and I hit him and got him off me, and he just started stabbing me.”

He allegedly stabbed Milligan in the chest.

“His wife kind of jumped between us and was like ‘Stop’, so I was able to get loose from him,” Milligan said.

Police say Griffin left the scene, and Milligan went home to call 911.

Milligan was later taken to a hospital in critical condition. He spoke with WREG from inside of Regional One.

“He kept saying I’m going to kill you. Let me go I’m going to kill you,” he said.

Griffin returned to the scene and told officers, “they came to my job and assaulted me,” the report states.

“I just don’t understand,” Milligan said. “Then you did that in front of my kids. Like bro, you could have killed me in front of my kids.” 

Griffin is still in custody. So far, no bond information has been posted.