Latest news with #ArmandoMorales
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Yahoo
Santa Ana High School student charged with murder of classmate
The Brief A 15-year-old student at Santa Ana High School has been charged with murder and two counts of assault with a deadly weapon for a triple stabbing that occurred on campus. A 14-year-old boy died from injuries sustained during the stabbing and fight. Santa Ana police said the incident was gang-related. SANTA ANA, Calif. - A 15-year-old boy at Santa Ana High School has been charged with the murder of a classmate. The backstory On Wednesday, May 7, three students were stabbed during a fight which broke out in the school parking lot around 3 p.m. Three students, all boys - ages 14, 15, and 16- were taken to a hospital. The 14-year-old, identified as Armando Morales, later died. The 15-year-old suspect and his 17-year-old brother turned themselves in to authorities later that night. Santa Ana police said the deadly incident was gang-related. The defendant and his big brother are considered documented gang members, and the others, except for the boy killed, are associated with a rival gang, said Santa Ana police Officer Natalie Garcia. The 15 and 16-year-olds who were also stabbed are brothers. Security has been increased at school and grief counselors have been made available to students. A memorial of flowers is also growing outside the school. What we know The suspect was also charged with two counts of assault with a deadly weapon for stabbing two other classmates. It's unclear whether his brother was charged with any crime. The Orange County District Attorney's Office did not immediately respond to a message.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Yahoo
Teen charged with murder in deadly stabbing attack outside Santa Ana High School
A teenager was charged with murder after a stabbing attack outside Santa Ana High School killed a 14-year-old boy and left two others hospitalized. The deadly incident happened on May 7 as a fight broke out among a group of teenagers in the school parking lot shortly before 3:30 p.m. Three male students, ages 14, 15, and 16, were stabbed during the violent altercation. The teen suspects, a 15-year-old and a 17-year-old, fled the scene. All three victims were transported to the hospital with stab wounds. The 14-year-old, identified by family as Armando Morales, died from his injuries at the hospital. The other two victims are expected to survive. On Friday, the Orange County District Attorney's office said Morales had been stabbed in the heart. The fight was among students who were believed to be members of rival gangs, police told the Orange County Register, though Morales' family said the 14-year-old was not a gang member and was instead trying to defend his friend during the confrontation. Police set up a perimeter and began searching for the two suspects who fled the area. The next day, escorted by their parents, the teen boys, who are brothers, turned themselves in at the Santa Ana Police Department. They were arrested for murder and attempted murder and were transported to Juvenile Hall. On Friday, the DA's Office announced the 15-year-old suspect was charged with murder and two counts of assault with a deadly weapon. Charges against his 17-year-old brother are still pending. The knife that was used in the attack had not been located, police told the O.C. Register, while they noted the 17-year-old suspect did not use any weapons during the incident. Morales was a freshman at Santa Ana High School who was described by friends and loved ones as a kind and spirited kid. Dianna Vasquez said her daughter was friends with Morales. 'When she got home with her friends and they found out, she was in tears,' Vazquez said. 'She was crying. She couldn't believe it. She said he was a really nice kid.' A makeshift memorial honoring Morales was set up by friends and family outside the high school, where candles and mementos could be seen. He is survived by his parents and two siblings. The Santa Ana Unified School District released a statement saying, 'We are committed to providing a safe, caring, and supportive environment for all students and staff. We will continue to share updates as they become available. Thank you for your continued support and compassion.' All after-school activities were cancelled following the deadly incident and the district confirmed there was an increased police presence on campus, along with crisis counselors for those who needed support. The suspects' identities were not released due to their juvenile status. Detectives said they are investigating cellphone video captured by a witness that showed portions of the fight and are seeking any additional footage that may exist. Anyone who was a witness or has information on the case is urged to call SAPD Homicide Detectives at 714-245-8390. Anonymous tips can be provided to OC Crime Stoppers at 1-855-847-6227 or online at Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Yahoo
An Orange County high school student was stabbed in the heart. Now a 15-year-old is accused of murder
The Orange County district attorney's office has charged a Santa Ana High School student with murder and assault in the fatal stabbing of a 14-year-old classmate during a fight after school that also left two other students injured. The 15-year-old, who was not identified because he is a minor, is also facing two counts of assault with a deadly weapon for allegedly stabbing the two other classmates earlier this week. The teen and his 17-year-old brother turned themselves in to police on Wednesday, hours after the deadly incident in front of Santa Ana High School, according to authorities. Santa Ana Police Officer Natalie Garcia said the brothers were questioned by investigators and then transported to juvenile hall, where they were booked. She said the 17-year-old remains in custody. The incident occurred at 3:25 p.m. Wednesday, when Santa Ana School Police officers reported a stabbing that occurred during a fight in front of Santa Ana High School. At least three male students, ages 14, 15 and 16, were found with stab wounds and taken by paramedics to a hospital. Prosecutors said the 14-year-old boy who died was stabbed in the heart and was identified by authorities as Armando Morales of Santa Ana. His family created a GoFundMe page to raise money for his funeral expenses. Misael Morales wrote on the site that his brother was a happy and smart kid who was known for making people laugh. Jazmin Delgado, the victim's cousin, echoed those words in an interview with KABC-TV. 'He was just always a happy kid and always loved to help and was just an amazing little kid,' Delgado told the station. Armando's family said the teen was in the wrong place at the wrong time. They said he was stepping in to help his friends when he was stabbed. What sparked the confrontation remains under investigation by police, who allege those involved in the fight, with exception of the victim, were affiliated with gangs. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles Times
10-05-2025
- Los Angeles Times
An Orange County high school student was stabbed in the heart. Now a 15-year-old is accused of murder
The Orange County district attorney's office has charged a Santa Ana High School student with murder and assault in the fatal stabbing of a 14-year-old classmate during a fight after school that also left two other students injured. The 15-year-old, who was not identified because he is a minor, is also facing two counts of assault with a deadly weapon for allegedly stabbing the two other classmates earlier this week. The teen and his 17-year-old brother turned themselves in to police on Wednesday, hours after the deadly incident in front of Santa Ana High School, according to authorities. Santa Ana Police Officer Natalie Garcia said the brothers were questioned by investigators and then transported to juvenile hall, where they were booked. She said the 17-year-old remains in custody. The incident occurred at 3:25 p.m. Wednesday, when Santa Ana School Police officers reported a stabbing that occurred during a fight in front of Santa Ana High School. At least three male students, ages 14, 15 and 16, were found with stab wounds and taken by paramedics to a hospital. Prosecutors said the 14-year-old boy who died was stabbed in the heart and was identified by authorities as Armando Morales of Santa Ana. His family created a GoFundMe page to raise money for his funeral expenses. Misael Morales wrote on the site that his brother was a happy and smart kid who was known for making people laugh. Jazmin Delgado, the victim's cousin, echoed those words in an interview with KABC-TV. 'He was just always a happy kid and always loved to help and was just an amazing little kid,' Delgado told the station. Armando's family said the teen was in the wrong place at the wrong time. They said he was stepping in to help his friends when he was stabbed. What sparked the confrontation remains under investigation by police, who allege those involved in the fight, with exception of the victim, were affiliated with gangs.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Yahoo
Santa Ana High School brothers surrender to police after deadly stabbing
Two brothers who attend Santa Ana High School have been arrested in a stabbing incident at the campus that left one student dead and two others injured. The brothers, ages 17 and 15, showed up with their parents at the Police Department's headquarters and turned themselves in late Wednesday, just hours after the deadly stabbing, according to Santa Ana Police Officer Natalie Garcia. She said the two teens were questioned, then arrested and transported to juvenile hall, where they were each booked on suspicion of murder and attempted murder. She said the weapon used in the attack remains missing. The incident occurred at 3:25 p.m. Wednesday when Santa Ana School Police officers reported a stabbing that occurred during a fight in front of Santa Ana High School. At least three male students, ages 14, 15 and 16, were found with stab wounds and transported by fire paramedics to a local hospital. The 14-year-old, police said, died from his injuries, and the two other victims were listed as stable. The boy killed was identified as Armando Morales of Santa Ana by Orange County coroner officials and a GoFundMe page was created by his family to raise money for his funeral expenses. Read more: A chainsaw-wielding vandal cut 13 trees in downtown LA. How the LAPD tracked down a suspect Misael Morales wrote on the site that his brother was a happy and smart kid who was known for making people laugh. Jazmin Delgado, the victim's cousin, echoed those words in an interview with ABC 7. "He was just always a happy kid and always loved to help and was just an amazing little kid," Delgado told the station. Armando's family said the teen was in the wrong place at the wrong time. They said he was stepping in to help his friends when he was stabbed. Homicide investigators believed the five teens involved were suspected gang members and were investigating the stabbing as gang-related, according to Garcia. But what sparked the confrontation remained under investigation. She said investigators also believed one weapon was used in the attack and had been unable to locate it so far. Homicide detectives are continuing their investigation into the stabbing and are asking any potential witnesses to contact investigators at (714) 245-8390 or Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
