A teenager was charged Friday, May 9, with murder and two counts of assault with a deadly weapon for allegedly stabbing another student to death during a fight near Santa Ana High School earlier this week and injuring two others, authorities said.
Armando Morales, 14, of Santa Ana was trying to help two friends involved in the fight when he was fatally stabbed, Officer Natalie Garcia, a spokesperson for Santa Ana police, said on Friday, May 9.
Police believe Morales was not a gang member, she said, unlike the two friends and the pair of suspects.
Wednesday afternoon, May 7, shortly after school let out, several students fought in an adjacent parking lot that escalated when a 15-year-old suspect allegedly pulled out a knife and stabbed three students, Garcia said.
The charges were against the 15-year-old, Garcia said, with any potential charges against a second suspect, his 17-year-old brother, still pending.
The fight was among students believed to be members of rival gangs, but it wasn’t known how many students were initially involved, Garcia said.
The three victims were taken to a hospital, where Morales died. The DA’s Office said on Friday that Morales suffered a stab wound to the heart.
The other two victims, ages 15 and 16, were expected to survive their wounds, police have said.
The two suspects turned themselves into police later Wednesday night, May 7, and were booked into juvenile hall on suspicion of murder and attempted murder, Garcia said. Police have not named the juveniles.
The three victims and the two students all attended Santa Ana High.
Police had not found the knife that was used in the attack, the officer said. The 17-year-old suspect did not use any weapons, she said.
Police were aware of one cellphone video that captured at least part of the brawl and were searching for the person who took it. Investigators were looking for other cellphone footage as well that may present different angles.
The altercation unfolded in a parking lot shared with the high school and Martin R. Heninger Elementary School.
The school district canceled all after-school activities on Wednesday following the stabbing and had both an increased police presence and crisis counselors on the campus on Thursday.
Previously, police said they believed the victim who died was in a gang but said on Friday, May 9, they no longer suspected that.
Friends and some family members have gathered at a makeshift memorial near where the stabbings took place.
Friday afternoon, May 9, district officials said they are working with city and police officials in an effort to keep students safe and help them with their mental health and that they intend to launch or expand several programs.
