Police Arrest, Indict 14-Year-Old In Tessa Majors Murder: Report

MORNINGSIDE HEIGHTS, NY — New York City police have arrested a 14-year-old boy in connection with the stabbing death of Barnard College student Tessa Majors. The boy, who faces two counts of murder in the second degree and several counts of robbery, is the second suspect to be arrested in the case.

Majors was stabbed to death on Dec. 11 while walking through Morningside Park. Police said the killing likely occurred during a botched robbery.

The boy was arrested Friday night without incident. Authorities said they believe the 14-year-old wielded the knife that killed Majors after she bit the hand of one of her three attackers during a violent struggle, the New York Times reports.

Officials said they have evidence from videotapes, witness identification and DNA evidence from Major's fingernail clippings linking the boy to the crime, the Associated Press reports.

The boy was questioned about the crime in December, during which police obtained forensic evidence. The boy exercised his right not to answer any questions asked of him by detective. He was later released to the custody of his lawyers.

A 13-year-old boy also was arrested in December in connection with murder. He is facing charges of felony murder, weapons possession and robbery, but is not suspected to have stabbed Majors himself.

Majors was walking through the park when she was approached by a group of muggers and held up at knifepoint, according to NYPD Chief of Detectives Rodney Harrison. During the robbery, one of the men stabbed her repeatedly in the stomach, Harrison said.

Majors was able to stagger to a nearby Columbia security booth. The guard stationed at the post called police after noticing she was injured, police and college officials said.

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