Police arrested Charles Edward Turner, 51, in Saturday’s incident at 2 p.m., according to police. According to records, he faces several charges, including attempted murder and four counts of aggravated assault. He is being held in the Allegheny County Jail.
The boy was taken to hospital in critical condition and has been changed to stable, KDKA reported, citing the criminal complaint.
Police say they know of no relationship between the boy and Turner, KDKA reported.
CNN has been unable to identify a Turner lawyer.
Two McDonald’s employees stepped in to help the boy, Cara Cruz, deputy director of public information for the Pittsburgh Department of Public Safety, told KDKA.
“He was with his family, he was in line, they just zipped up to do something fast,” Cruz told KDKA.
The reason is still unclear and the investigation continues, according to police.
Detectives from the major crime and crime units review the scene, analyze video evidence and speak with eyewitnesses, the Pittsburgh Department of Public Safety released.