Teen stabbed to death near NoMa Metro station, DC police say

WASHINGTON - Police say a 16-year-old boy, who has now been identified as a student of KIPP DC College Preparatory high school, has died after he was stabbed just a mile from his school near the NoMA Metro Station.

DC police said the teen was stabbed in the chest at about 4:35 p.m. in the 1300 block of 2nd Street, NE, near the NoMa-Gallaudet University Metro train station.

The teen was rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced dead, according to authorities. Homicide detectives were investigating the scene.

"We are heartbroken for the parents and family of our student," said Susan Schaeffler, founder and CEO of KIPP DC in a statement sent to school community members.

Schaeffler says D.C. police, first responders and school staff responded immediately.

"This is a tragic loss to the KIPP DC College Prep community. We must lean on each other
and wrap our arms around our precious children to keep them safe and loved," she said.

Neither the school nor officials have released any information on the student.

"We have been in touch with the student's family and will continue to provide support to them. We have
maintained ongoing communication with MPD and will continue to cooperate as they conduct a full
investigation," said Schaeffler.

Officials have not released information about suspects at this time. DC Police Chief Peter Newsham said there appeared to have been a large group of the teens in the area before the stabbing.

A witness told FOX 5 he saw the victim was being punched and kicked when someone pulled out a knife. The witness said the teenagers scattered after the stabbing and fled the scene.

"It's just crazy thinking about how his parents were probably working 9 to 5 and they get off and had to receive this phone call. You want your kids to go to school in a place that's supposed to be safe, come back to see this," said Nigel Crayton.

This comes as D.C. police are starting up a summer crime initiative.

"A lot of folks feel nervous. Crime is going to be on the uptick and that's why were doing this summer crime initiative, so we're in tune to that. We can't prevent all crime from occurring but there are plenty of police officers out here, got to the scene quickly. It's very sad we lost one of our kids to this type of unnecessary violence," said D.C police Chief Peter Newsham.

KIPP DC CEO Schaeffler says school social workers and mental health services will be available to all students as usual for support.