East Haven Boy, 15, Charged With Manslaughter In Fatal May Stabbing:PD

EAST HAVEN, CT — A 15-year-old boy from East Haven was charged with first-degree manslaughter in the stabbing homicide of 15-year-old Dustin Cecarelli of Northford on the grounds of Tuttle Elementary School last May, East Haven police announced.

The juvenile, who will not be named, police said, was also charged with first-degree assault.

“On behalf of the Department, we continue to extend our deepest condolences to Dustin’s family and friends during this difficult time," East Haven Police Department Chief Edward Lennon said. "We hope this arrest is the beginning of the healing process.”

Due to the arrested individual being a juvenile, the identity will not be released, and no additional statements will be provided, Police Capt. Joseph M. Murgo said.

The Office of the State Medical Examiner told Patch in May that a stab wound to the chest was the cause of death and the manner of death was homicide in the slaying that rocked both communities.

Cecarelli was stabbed in the chest May 23 during a fight on the grounds of the school after school hours. At the time, Murgo said emergency responders arrived at the Prospect Road school at around 6:30 p.m, and they performed life-saving measures on Cecarelli, who was taken to Yale New Haven Hospital, and he later died as a result of the stab wound.

Murgo said then that all involved were “accounted for and no threat to public safety exists.”He said it was an "isolated incident," but there would be an increased police presence across the schools Wednesday "as a precaution."

In May, Murgo said that the police “worked closely” with the State’s Attorney’s Office on the case.

"We would like to extend our deepest condolences to Dustin’s family and friends during this difficult time," Murgo said at the time.

Read Cecarelli's obituary here.