Grief counselors are on hand at a Mount Hope middle school where a 14-year-old allegedly stabbed one of his classmates to death.
According to police, Noel Estevez stabbed Timothy Crump, also 14, multiple times in the stomach outside I.S. 117, the Joseph H. Wade Middle School, following a fight at around 3 p.m. Wednesday. The two are seen posing together for a picture taken from Estevez's Facebook page.
Police are surrounding the school while a memorial of candles and flowers continues to grow at the scene of the attack. Officers are also standing guard at the homeless shelter where Crump lived to ensure his family and neighbors are not disturbed.
Dozens of students witnessed the stabbing as school was letting out for the day. Officials say a school security officer caught Estevez and turned him over to authorities, while Crump was rushed to Bronx Lebanon Hospital and pronounced dead.
Estevez is facing murder and manslaughter charges. It's still unclear what led to the dispute, but cops are investigating claims that the two kids had several run-ins in the past.
Schools Chancellor Carmen Farina issued a statement saying in part, "We are devastated to lose one of our children like this. Our deepest condolences go out to the family and school community." She added that the Department of Education will offer any assistance it can to the police investigation.