Warrant Details Police Investigation Of Jimmy McGrath's Stabbing Death

SHELTON, CT — New details have been released about the fatal stabbing of Jimmy McGrath, a 17-year-old Fairfield College Preparatory School student who was killed during a house party Saturday in Shelton.

Raul Valle, 16, of Milford, who is a student at St. Joseph's High School in Trumbull, was arrested Wednesday in connection with McGrath's death, according to his attorney. He is charged with murder and three counts of first-degree assault, according to police.

Attorney Jake Donovan identified Valle as his client Thursday after a brief appearance in Superior Court in Derby. Valle is being held on a $2 million bond. Donovan said the case was transferred to Milford Superior Court and a court date was scheduled for early June.

According to an arrest warrant application obtained by Patch, McGrath was stabbed outside a house party with over 50 teens in attendance on Laurel Glen Drive in Shelton late Saturday.

The warrant said police received several calls about a fight at the Shelton home with multiple stab victims. Four teens who were stabbed, including McGrath, were found on the front lawn of the home when police arrived, the warrant states.

While examining the home's front lawn, an officer noticed "numerous pools of blood, clothing, a sneaker, a backpack and other scattered items," according to the warrant.

Officers spoke to several juvenile witnesses who said a group of teens showed up uninvited to the Shelton house party after an altercation at a separate party in town that night, the warrant states.

One teen told police he had gone to another party on Lazy Brook Road that night with a friend and got into an argument with a group of guys there, according to the warrant.

"[The teen] stated that he squared off with one of the kids and began fighting in the yard," the warrant reads. "[The teen] stated that he was winning the fight when the other kids jumped on top of him and began to hit him."

The teen said he and his friend were eventually able to get away from the other teens and went to the party on Laurel Glen Drive, the warrant states.

A short time later, a group of teens, who some witnesses said was the group from the Lazy Brook Road party, arrived at the Laurel Glen Drive home in a Honda Pilot and a large fight broke out, the warrant details. At least one of the teens had a knife during the fight, according to witnesses.

McGrath and three other teens were stabbed during the altercation, police have said. Shelton EMS brought McGrath to Bridgeport Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, according to the warrant.

Police spoke with a number of witnesses who reported seeing Valle with a knife, which one witness described as "a switch blade...some kind of pocket knife," according to the warrant.

Some witnesses also identified Valle as the person who stabbed McGrath after being shown a photograph of the accused, the warrant states.

Related:

• Teen Accused Of Fatally Stabbing James McGrath, 17, ID'd: Attorney
• 'This Is A Day To Celebrate Jimmy's Life,' Slain Teen's Dad Says
• St. Joseph Student Accused Of Fatally Stabbing James McGrath, 17

On Monday, police spoke with a doctor from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner who performed an autopsy on McGrath. The doctor said a stab wound on McGrath's chest "went through the rib and the heart," and the puncture wound was approximately 2.5-3.5 inches deep, the warrant states.

The cause of death was ruled as a "stab wound to the torso" and the manner of death was ruled a "homicide," according to the warrant.

Prior to his identification being released, police announced Wednesday a 16-year-old from Milford was arrested in connection to McGrath's death.

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"Obviously, this is an unspeakable tragedy for everyone involved," Donovan told reporters outside the courthouse Thursday. He also noted he did not wish to comment further until he had a chance to examine all the evidence in the case.

St. Joseph's released a statement Wednesday night on Facebook regarding the incident and arrest.

"Today, the Shelton Police Department arrested a St. Joseph High School student in relation to a fatality at a private Shelton residence on Saturday, May 14, 2022. Our entire School Community is horrified and deeply saddened by the tragic death of James 'Jimmy' McGrath," the post reads.

The post also noted the St. Joseph community was still shocked by the heartbreaking situation.

"Internal and external counseling and social work professionals are on campus to support our students as they grieve and attempt to process the wide-reaching impact of this incident," the post reads. "The St. Joseph High School community continues to offer solemn prayers for the McGrath family and Fairfield Prep community as they mourn the unthinkable loss of a son and cherished classmate."

A GoFundMe has been set up to help support the McGrath family at this time. As of Thursday afternoon, the campaign has raised over $120,000 and received over 1,000 donations.

The page was set up by friends and family of the McGrath's. Those who wish to donate to the page can do so here.

A moving tribute to McGrath was held Wednesday night just before the start of a lacrosse game at Shelton High School against Fairfield Prep, where McGrath was a junior. McGrath's parents, Kevin and Margaret, and his sister, Rosie, were in attendance.

As he spoke with his family by his side, Kevin McGrath urged both teams to celebrate his son's life by having a great game.

"I love every single one of you," Kevin McGrath said. "You have made a difficult situation better."

GoFundMe is a Patch partner.