Boy, 15, arrested in student's death

[TexasStooge]

By TOYA LYNN STEWART / The Dallas Morning News and ERNESTO LONDOÑO / Al Día

Jose Lopez told his family he wanted to grow up and join the Army.

His mother, Carolina Leon Ramirez, didn't like the idea.

"I would tell him, 'Don't do that,' " she recalled. " 'That's too dangerous. I love you very much, and I don't want anything to happen to you.' "

Instead, the danger that took Jose's life came just steps away from the door to his school.

Jose, two weeks short of his 14th birthday, died Tuesday after being stabbed outside E.H. Cary Middle School, where he was in the seventh grade.


Police on Wednesday arrested a 15-year-old boy whom they believe is responsible. He was picked up in the 9800 block of Dale Crest Drive, a block away from where Jose's family lives in northwest Dallas, said police spokesman Chris Gilliam.
"They spotted him at the location standing on the street," Senior Cpl. Gilliam said. "He was just on the street. He was arrested after a brief foot chase."

He would not comment on what led officers to the boy and said it's unclear whether the boy is a gang member. Other details, including whether the boy is a Dallas school district student, were not released because of his age.

Cpl. Gilliam would not comment on whether investigators were seeking other suspects.

Ms. Leon Ramirez said she would bury her son in Mexico, where he was born. A rosary and prayer service will be from 7 to 8 p.m. today at St. Monica Catholic Church, 9933 Midway Road.

Jose's family moved to Dallas from the Mexican state of Hidalgo in 1998, his mother said.

As family and friends streamed in and out of Ms. Leon Ramirez's apartment Wednesday, they described Jose as a happy youngster who liked to play video games, cook for his family and tell jokes. His father remains in Mexico, so Jose was the man of the house, his mother said.

"He was a treasure," she said. "He was my right hand; he was everything for me."

Older sister Yuliana Marzana, 18, said Jose "always made me laugh. He was always taking care of my mom and cooking and cleaning.

"His favorite things to cook were enchiladas and fajitas. The last day I saw him was on Sunday, and he was making fajitas."

Officials said Wednesday that they still didn't know what provoked the attack.

Ms. Leon Ramirez said she doesn't believe that her son was involved with gangs.

"He was very responsible," she said. "He never hung out on the street."

A Dallas officer assigned to the Cary and Thomas Jefferson High School campuses, which are separated by a fence off Walnut Hill Lane near Marsh Lane, was on duty Tuesday when the attack occurred but did not see it, police said.

Sgt. Larry Lewis said there were witnesses to the stabbing, but none were adults.

"We've talked to a couple of witnesses," the officer said. "These witnesses were students, and they were standing near the victim. I think these two kids were out there talking to Jose."

According to Sgt. Lewis, witnesses told police that the assailant "just pretty much asked [Jose], 'Come here.' That was it."

The victim was not armed, Sgt. Lewis said. Investigators recovered a knife thought to have been used to stab Jose.

"We don't know if they knew each other," said Sgt. Joe DeCorte. "I personally feel that this was not a stranger-on-stranger deal."

On Wednesday, students and parents were visibly shaken as they made their way to the school.

Students and parents passed through the morning's dense fog to find several police cars circling or parked around the school.

Campus and district administrators stood outside to greet and reassure students and parents. Throughout the day, counselors tried to answer students' and parents' questions about the tragedy.

"It was very devastating and traumatic for all of them," said Gina Velez-Lopez, a grief counselor.

Classmate Anna Torres, 15, shared a fifth-period language arts class with Jose.

"Today, the class was silent," she said. "We were all crying."

Another classmate, Clifford Yeager, 13, said Wednesday was difficult.

"I just wondered, 'Why did it happen?' " said Clifford, who talked to a counselor about his feelings. "I was talking to him five minutes before it happened, then I heard screams."

Some parents and students were apprehensive about being at the school Wednesday despite the police presence.

"It's so terrible," said Louise Ortiz, mother of a sixth-grader. "I didn't want to leave her because I just felt scared."

Another parent, Wendy Davalos didn't feel confident.

"I dropped him off, and something told me to come back and pick him up," she said. "I'm scared, and I plan to take him home. I know he'll be safe at home."

Her 12-year-old son, George Davalos, said he was relieved to be leaving.

"I feel sad and scared," the sixth-grader said softly.

As they do each day, students and parents passed through the two metal detectors in the front foyer. Groups of district administrators, police and teachers stood quietly in the main hallway.

"It's a building full of pain," said Donald Claxton, Dallas schools spokesman. "You go into the library, and it's full of kids crying their eyes out. This was clearly a very popular young man."

When the day began, six crisis counselors were on hand to help students. By day's end, there were 16. Extra counselors will remain today. Students are off Friday.

[Guest]

No more of this craziness. It just saddens me.