"Quiet, Respectful" Boy Snaps

"CORAL SPRINGS, FL - A 12-year-old boy chased and stabbed a neighbor, 13, in the back with a kitchen knife, then stabbed himself in the stomach with another knife Friday afternoon, police said.

"`I want to die, I want to die,` the 12-year-old told paramedics, according to police.

"Both were taken to Broward General Medical Center where they remained Friday evening. The 13-year-old was listed in critical condition and had surgery to remove the knife from his back. The child accused of stabbing him was in stable condition, authorities said.

"Though police are investigating what led to the attack, witnesses told officers that the 12-year-old was tired of being called names at school. The boys are students at Ramblewood Middle School.

"`It seems the altercation was a result of disputes the two had been having in school for the last week,` said Sgt. Joe McHugh, a Coral Springs police spokesman. `We've been told the 12-year-old was not happy with some name calling done by the victim and another child.`

"The attack happened at about 4:30 p.m. in the 10000 block of Northwest 17th Street, soon after the boys returned home from school, police said.

"Waving two knives, the 12-year-old chased his neighbor down 17th Street, then plunged one of the knives into the child's upper back, McHugh said. He tried to kill himself with the other knife immediately after, police said.

"The 12-year-old could face felony charges, pending a police investigation.

"`It's horrible to hear news like this, especially when kids that young are involved,` said Rebecca Matthews, a neighbor. She doesn't know the suspect, but said the 13-year-old victim often fishes in the pond behind her house.

"`He's back there a lot, usually by himself,` she said. `He's a pretty quiet boy, very respectful.`"

From Officer.com...