A criminal complaint revealed more details on what led to a stabbing at a Planet Fitness in the Wyncote section of Cheltenham Township, Pennsylvania, earlier this month.
Davier Massey, 28, of Philadelphia, is charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault, recklessly endangering another person, possession of an instrument of crime, simple assault, terroristic threats, criminal mischief, harassment and disorderly conduct in connection to the incident.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, Massey went to the Planet Fitness at the Cedarbrook Mall along the 1000 block of South Easton Road back on Wednesday, April 1, around 5:45 p.m. Massey then asked two employees for the contact information of the manager but both employees told him they didn’t know, investigators said.
Massey wasn’t pleased with the answers, tapped one of the employees on the chest and told him, “Meet me outside,” according to the criminal complaint. Investigators said the employee walked away after a brief exchange of words and Massey left the gym while stating, “I’ll see you.” The employee then contacted the gym’s manager and was sent home for the night.
The next day, on Thursday, April 2, around 12 p.m., Massey returned to the Planet Fitness, walked to the front counter and searched for the gym’s manager to complain about an outstanding balance on his bill, investigators said. The employee who had interacted with Massey the previous day recognized him and reported it to his manager, according to the affidavit. Massey then turned to the employee and asked him if he “snitched,” police said.
The manager then told Massey that he could not help him and that he shouldn’t be at the gym, according to the criminal complaint. Massey then tried to walk behind the manager’s counter and the employee stood up to stop him, police said. The manager then put up his arm to intervene while Massey continued walking toward the employee, according to investigators. The employee then punched Massey in the face and the two men began to wrestle, police said.
The employee continued to punch Massey, causing him to fall onto a treadmill, according to the criminal complaint. Police said the two men were then separated and Massey walked out of the gym.
The manager called 911 and officers arrived to check the area but were unable to locate Massey. Police said the management at the gym didn’t know Massey’s name and could only give a description.
A short time later, around 12:30 p.m., Massey returned to the Planet Fitness and moved toward the employee he had fought earlier, telling him, “Let me talk to you real quick,” according to the criminal complaint. The employee backed away towards an area between the front counter and the wall as he tried to deescalate the situation but Massey kept moving towards him, police said.
Massey then pulled out a knife and stabbed the employee in the chest, according to the criminal complaint. The employee tried to defend himself and the two men went to the ground where Massey stabbed him again in the side and upper arm, police said.
The two men continued to struggle until Massey dropped the knife and a bystander kicked the weapon away, according to the affidavit. More bystanders arrived and pulled the two men apart, police said. Massey then walked out of the gym, returned a few seconds later to pick up his hat and then yelled, “See what you made me do? That’s what you f—— get,” before once again leaving the gym, according to the criminal complaint.
Witnesses made a tourniquet to control the employee’s bleeding while multiple people called 911. One of the arriving police officers found Massey at a store near the Planet Fitness, according to the affidavit. Officers noticed a deep cut on Massey’s right hand and he was taken to the hospital before being placed in police custody.
The employee was also taken to the hospital where he was treated for his stab wounds. Investigators also found Massey’s weapon which they described as a Cuisinart stainless steel steak knife.
Massey is currently being held in the Montgomery County Prison after his bail was denied. Online court records don’t list an attorney who could speak on his behalf.
