Tessa Majors

Possible second suspect, 12 years old, questioned about Barnard freshman Tessa Majors stabbing murder: Report

UPDATE: 1: 18 p.m.

A New York City Police Department source confirmed to Gothamist that police are questioning a 12-year-old in connection to the murder of Tessa Majors, following the arrest of a 13-year-old boy who reportedly confessed to involvement in the killing.  It is not known if the juvenile is expected to face charges.

ORIGINAL STORY:

Police are reportedly interviewing someone who may be a second suspect in the stabbing murder of 18-year-old Barnard freshman Tessa Majors.

As CrimeOnline previously reported, Majors was pronounced dead Wednesday after she was discovered bleeding from multiple stab wounds at the top of a staircase in Morningside Park. Police reportedly believe she was ambushed by a group of males intent on robbing her before she was fatally stabbed.

As of early Friday morning, police had arrested a 13-year-old boy in connection with Majors’ murder. According to CNN, police saw the teen boy at a building in the area of the fatal stabbing on Thursday, and observed that his clothing matched the description of a witness account related to the killing. He was initially charged with criminal trespass, but under questioning confessed to his involvement in the Barnard student’s murder.

The boy reportedly told police that he and a group of friends had attempted to rob Majors, and that the teen was stabbed during a struggle. Though the arrested juvenile was reportedly found with a knife, it is not known if that weapon was used in the murder.

On Friday, a reporter with 1010Wins said on Twitter that police at the 26th precinct on the Upper West Side of Manhattan were questioning a possible second suspect.

It is not known if this person has been charged or is expected to be. Law enforcement sources have reportedly said that police suspect at least three people were involved in the attack.

A spokesperson for Columbia University would not comment on whether there were security camera present and operating at the scene of the stabbing.

This is a developing story. CrimeOnline will provide further updates when more information is available.

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