A Minneapolis boy stabbed to death by his 12-year-old brother has been identified as Sebastian Harris, a junior at Hopkins High School, Principal Doug Bullinger confirmed Wednesday.
He confirmed the sad news in a note to students and their families calling it a ‘tragic event that has torn a family apart’.
The 16-year-old victim was reportedly killed with a kitchen knife to the chest Saturday night after having an altercation with his younger sibling who has not been named.
Sebastian Harris, a junior at Hopkins High School, was killed Saturday night Principal Doug Bullinger confirmed Wednesday
According to a police statement, the victim and suspect’s parent was at their home in Minnetonka, Minnesota when the homicide took place around 8.15pm.
He was pronounced dead at North Memorial Hospital, reports ABC5.
‘We know there was some sort of an altercation between the two boys,’ Star Tribune reported Minnetonka Police Chief Scott Boerboom said at a news conference Sunday.
‘The mother and other family members were home at the time of the incident.’ a police statement read.
It added that they were working with the family to determine what led to the ‘sharp-force injuries’ as described by the Medical Examiner’s Office.
While the suspect was initially taken to hospital for an evaluation, charges were later filed against him at Hennepin County juvenile court but specific details have not been revealed due to his age.
The victim’s school principal confirmed his identity Wednesday and friends of the student as well as their families were heartbroken.
The student, 16, (top left) was a big karate fan and a good role model to younger classmates
In a GoFundMe page created by Josette Jollief, Harris is affectionately described as ‘Snugdoody’ and commented on how they remember him fondly and were lucky to have known him.
‘Sebastian always stood up for the underdog and did what he thought was right. He had a contagious sense of humor and an incredible imagination,’ Jollief wrote. ‘His life ended too soon, though his spirit will live on in all the lives he touched with his warm heart and gentle spirit. The trauma of losing someone is something a family member can never be prepared for, especially when a parent loses a child.’
The family friends asked followers to dig deep to help fund a memorial or funeral for the teenager.
‘In addition to grieving, the inevitable expenses that follow are overwhelmingly astronomical,’ she added as they hope to gather $10,000. ‘Sebastian’s family needs us to come together and give what we can to make his funeral/memorial happen.
He was reportedly killed with a kitchen knife to the chest Saturday night after having an altercation with his 12-year-old sibling while their parents were home
‘Whether you knew Sebastian as a friend from school, karate, somewhere in the community, or you just feel like doing the right thing, please graciously consider donating what you can toward this cause.’
A link to the crowdfunding page was shared by mother and fellow karate student Lanica Klein who described him as a great role model who helped guide people younger than him and spread joy among his community.
‘I can’t believe I’m posting again about another lost child…Sebastian was a beautiful part of our Karate family. He looked after the boys, helped keep them on course, and was always smiling,’ Klein shared on Facebook. ‘He was a leader through example…never expecting anything in return. I looked forward to seeing what he would do with his life…the possibilities for him were endless.
‘Now, he is one of my angels that remind me to spread joy into the world, how to move through the challenges of teaching, that every child is important…and that every day is precious. You will be missed…every day!’