Teen Questioned In Stabbing Death Of New York College Student Released

Police have released a 14-year-old teenager being held for questioning in connection with the murder of 18-year-old Barnard College freshman, Tessa Majors. According to law enforcement sources, the teen was present with his lawyer during questioning and made no statements. Police officials decided not to charge him at the current time, so he was released. The 14-year-old is not believed to be who stabbed Majors.

A 13-year-old boy was arrested Friday and charged with murder, robbery and weapons possession, according to ABC News. He made statements incriminating himself and implicating two other individuals, according to the authorities. He is also not believed to be Majors’ killer, but he did allegedly pick up the knife and give it to another teenager after the stabbing.

Majors was attacked by an unknown number of people on Wednesday night as she walked through Morningside Park near campus, police said. She managed to get herself out of the park and onto a nearby street where a school public safety officer spotted her and called 911. She, unfortunately, died shortly after at a local hospital, according to the New York City Police Department.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said in a statement shortly after the attack, “The close-knit community at Barnard College is in shock right now. We’ve lost a young woman full of potential in a senseless act of violence. I want every student and every member of faculty to know your city will be with you in the days ahead. We will find the perpetrators of this crime and bring them to justice.”

Sian Leah Beilock, President of Barnard College, said in a statement, “These past two days have been a time of deep sorrow as we mourn the loss of one of Barnard’s community members, who had only just started the journey here. In the months ahead, we will formally honor Tess and celebrate Tess’ life. For now, I urge you to hold Tess and the family in your thoughts and in your hearts. Support each other, lean on each other, and take care of yourselves.”