Arrest Made In Fatal Stabbing Of 16YO New Rochelle Girl: UPDATE

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — The 16-year-old suspect in the fatal stabbing of a New Rochelle High School student surrendered to police at 1 p.m. Thursday. According to a spokeswoman for the New Rochelle Police Department, Z’Inah Brown was taken into custody and charged with second-degree murder, a felony.

Police said Brown, a Yonkers resident, made no statements.

The Westchester District Attorney’s Office will ultimately decide what charges she will be arraigned on in New Rochelle City Court sometime Thursday.

Police said Brown stabbed Valaree Schwab, 16, of New Rochelle, twice Wednesday with what appeared to be a steak knife in the left side of her torso in the Dunkin' Donuts on North Avenue across from Iona College.

Brown fled the scene, and Schwab was taken to Jacobi Medical Center where she died.

The case remains under investigation.

Previous update, Jan. 11, 2018, 12:02 p.m.:

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — New Rochelle Police have identified the suspect wanted in the fatal stabbing of a 16-year-old New Rochelle High School student Wednesday. Z’Inah Brown, 16, of Yonkers, is being sought in the death of Valaree Schwab, 16, of New Rochelle.

Police said they were able to determine there was a confrontation between Schwab and a group of five or six male and females young people around 12:20 p.m Wednesday. During that confrontation, in the Dunkin' Donuts on North Avenue, Brown stabbed Schwab twice in the left side of the torso with what appeared to be a steak knife. The group then left the area.

Schwab was taken to Jacobi Medical Center where she died.

New Rochelle Police Department is presently looking for Brown and would encourage her to contact them.

Anyone with information on Z’Inah Brown, her whereabouts or the stabbing is asked to contact Det. Lt. Chris Hearle at 914-654-2263.

Original article, Jan. 11, 2018, 10:42 a.m.:

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — A manhunt is underway in New Rochelle for the person who stabbed and killed a New Rochelle High School student at the Dunkin’ Donuts across from Iona College Wednesday. A statement from the police department said that a suspect has been identified and they are actively endeavoring to locate the person.

“The suspect is encouraged to surrender to authorities,” the statement said.

Valeree Schwab, 16, was stabbed during a fight with another high-school-aged female, according to a Dunkin’ Donuts employee who was interviewed by the police.

After the stabbing, the alleged suspect fled the scene, police said.

Schwab was taken to Jacobi Medical Center where she subsequently died.

Representatives of the City of New Rochelle and the City School District of New Rochelle are scheduled to issue statements at noon Thursday at New Rochelle City Hall.

In a statement issued Wednesday, the school district said counselors, social workers and other professionals will be made available for students and staff who require assistance for as long as is necessary.

Check back with Patch for updates.

Photo caption: Dunkin' Donuts on North Avenue in New Rochelle. Photo credit: Google Maps.