16-Year-Old Charged With Stabbing Whitman Classmate
WHITMAN (CBS) – A 16-year-old is facing charges after police say he stabbed a classmate outside a Whitman home late Sunday night. The Whitman Police chief said he would "not be shocked" if social media played a role in the confrontation.
Police found a 16-year-old boy had been stabbed at the corner of Washington Street and Belcher Drive.
The suspect and victim knew each other, police said. Police Chief Scott Benton said he could not speculate on motive, saying "I don't know what would motivate a 16-year-old to try to kill another teenager."
The boys are both rising juniors at Whitman-Hanson Regional High School. Friends tell WBZ a fight on social media led the victim to show up at the suspect's house where he was then stabbed.
"Social media is what it is. I'm sure social media, I would not be shocked if in the end social media played a role in this somehow," Benton said.
The victim was rushed to an area hospital with serious injuries. He is expected to survive.
Police described the boy's injuries as "significant" and said he underwent surgery.
Whitman Police charged the 16-year-old suspect with assault to murder and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury.
"What is wrong with you? I never thought he was capable of doing something so horrid. Disgusting," said Jared Lark, a friend of the victim.
The suspect, whose name was not released because he is a juvenile, is expected to be arraigned on Monday at Brockton Juvenile Court.
"I get it. Social media is a good outlet when it's used in a good way. It also can create a lot of problems when it's not," said Benton.
