Police in Los Angeles are investigating the death of a 13-year-old boy who was fatally stabbed outside a Chick-Fil-A restaurant.
In response to the murder of Marco Murillo Jr. early Wednesday evening, the Los Angeles Police Department released a statement asking for community assistance in locating the murderer.
At approximately 5:40 p.m. on Wednesday, transit officers “observed a physical altercation involving several juvenile males at the intersection of 7th Street and Flower Street,” according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
Attempting to calm the situation, officers discovered Marco had been stabbed in the abdomen.
A medical ambulance was called and medical treatment was provided immediately by the officers. The patient was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he died before any surgical interventions could be performed.
“The investigation at the scene revealed that Murillo and the suspect were involved in a verbal dispute, which quickly escalated to a physical dispute. During the dispute, the suspect stabbed Murillo with an unidentified cutting instrument. The suspect ran from the scene, eastbound on 7th Street,” stated the Los Angeles Police Department.
Marco’s mother, Lorena Lopez, told ABC 7 in Los Angeles that her son was at Chick-Fil-A at 7th St. and Flower St. when a group of male teenagers approached him. He was fatally stabbed at that moment before being transported to the hospital.
A GoFundMe page established by his family describes Murillo as ” “The most thoughtful kid you can think of with the sweetest heart. He made an impact in everyone’s life that he ever met, a soul too kind for this earth.”
In addition, the family stated, “It comes with great pain and heart ache for him to not be with us physically here today but we carry him In spirit as he watches us from the heavens. Where there is no pain, no fear, just love. Marco will always be known as a kid with a big smile, contagious laugh, and a great heart.”
A person of interest was handcuffed by officers at the scene. It was reported by ABC 7 that the unidentified individual escaped after another person swung a skateboard at the police officers.
According to police, the suspect is between the ages of 14 and 17 and is White or Hispanic. During the press briefing, officers described him as being of medium height and build.