Hartford

2 More Juveniles Arrested in Connection With Vernon Assault, Stabbing

Police have arrested two more juveniles in connection to an assault and stabbing that injured a 17-year-old Rockville High School student and another person on a trail in Vernon on Friday night and the stabbing victim's mom is speaking out about the incident.

The stabbing and assault happened on the Rails to Trails near the Ryefield Apartment Complex just after 10 p.m.

Authorities said an investigation determined that a 17-year-old Rockville High School student was stabbed multiple times in his torso, legs and head and another person was assaulted.

"We do believe there are two groups involved that were fighting. The first group was walking back from the football game when they were attacked by these two juveniles and some others while they walked along the trail," Vernon Police Lt. William Meier said. Police believe that the victim was known to the assailants and that it was not a random act.

The 17-year-old victim’s mother spoke with NBC Connecticut. “They left him bleeding, beaten, severely stabbed 10 times,” said Carly-Ann Merrill, the victim’s mother. “I wouldn’t wish that on anybody else ever. I don’t care what somebody did or didn’t do. They don’t deserve that.”

Merrill said her son was involved in an ongoing dispute with another group of teens that started in May. She said there was fighting and she tried to get the school district and the police to intervene. She said she is hoping this is an end to the violence.

“It’s horrible. I don’t want anymore. I don’t want anyone else getting hurt. I went out of my way to tell all my kids' friends, don’t, this is not worth it. We’re not doing it, we’re going to handle it the right way,” said Merrill.

According to police, the first juvenile who was arrested early Monday morning is a 17-year-old Vernon resident and is believed to be the person responsible for stabbing the teen multiple times. He is also believed to have cut another person on the finger.

Police said the second juvenile who was arrested early Monday morning is a 17-year-old Vernon resident and is responsible for hitting the teen multiple times with a bat, causing serious injuries. 

Officers believe the second juvenile also hit another person with the bat and caused additional injuries. Authorities said the assault took place at the same time and location as the stabbing.

"One of the juveniles allegedly stabbed the victim while the other hit him with a bat. There was also a second victim who was cut on his finger and he was also struck with the bat as well," Lt. Meier added.

Both juveniles were taken into custody early Monday morning. They are each facing charges including assault, conspiracy to commit assault, breach of peace and possession of a dangerous weapon. Police said they are being held in the Hartford Juvenile Detention Facility and will appear in court on Monday.

On Friday, police found a car in an apartment complex on Terrace Drive that was believed to have been involved in the incident. Inside of the vehicle, police said they found a hunting knife, a baseball bat and a wooden pole that had knife blades taped to both ends.

Officers arrested Haley Machholz, 19, of Vernon, and Jakwai Sosa, 20, of Hartford, along with a 15-year-old that was in the car with them on Friday. The three were charged with possession of a weapon in a motor vehicle.

"I believe those three individuals, who we arrested Friday night, were trying to retaliate for the stabbing attack," Lt. Meier said.

"The victim is a Rockville High School student. One of the individuals arrested is a Rockville High School student. The other is a former Rockville High School student," Lt. Meier added.

The investigation remains ongoing and officers said more arrests are expected. Anyone with information is asked to call Vernon Police. Callers may remain anonymous.

There will be extra police and security at Rockville High School until further notice as a precaution.

“The safety and security of our students and staff in and out of school is our top priority,” said Vernon Public Schools Superintendent Joseph P. Macary.

Contact Us