A 16-year-old boy died Friday evening after being stabbed near Folkeparken in Roskilde. Himmelev Gymnasium has confirmed that the victim was one of its students.
The school confirmed the death in a press release, DR reports. Himmelev Gymnasium described the incident as a very tragic episode at Folkeparken and said its thoughts are with the family and friends of the deceased.
According to police, the stabbing took place close to Folkeparken, where newly enrolled gymnasium students were holding an intro party. Police have told DR that the attack stemmed from an internal conflict between the victim and the suspect, who stabbed his peer several times.
TV 2 reports that a 16-year-old boy has been arrested and charged with homicide. The same outlet adds that the victim was airlifted by helicopter to Rigshospitalet, but his life could not be saved.
Sjællandske Nyheder reports that Midt- og Vestsjællands Politi received the report at 5:33 p.m. Friday, and that there was a heavy police presence in the area. Ekstra Bladet notes that the victim had just started in 1.g at the school.
Crisis counseling and court hearing
The school said it chose to open on Saturday so students and staff could receive crisis counseling on site. Counseling will also be available next week, and the school leadership was gathered to receive students, according to the press release.
Himmelev Gymnasium said its management is in contact with police, who will also be present at the school. Students and others who saw anything are urged not to hesitate in contacting investigators with information.
The suspect is due before a judge for a grundlovsforhør at 12:00 on Saturday at the Court in Roskilde. Ekstra Bladet reports the same court time and confirms the homicide charge.
Justice Minister Nicolai Wammen (S) commented on the case Saturday morning, calling it terrible and deeply tragic. In a written statement, he expressed his condolences to the boy and his family and friends, and said police are working at full strength to establish the full picture of events.
TV 2 reports that police see no indications of links to organized criminal environments, and that neither of the two 16-year-olds was previously known to police in that context. As reported by TV 2, investigators identified the suspect quickly after items were left at the scene.
Politiken reports that police suspect a pre-existing conflict between the boys, which flared up when they met at the school-start party. Per Ekstra Bladet, police are withholding details about the conflict out of consideration for the investigation.
