The night of Thursday around 1 a.m., officers from Jūrmala local government spotted a teenager lying unconscious with stab wounds on the ground while on duty in Jūrmala, Sloka, near the road. Municipal police officers called Emergency Medical Service to the scene, but unfortunately, the victim was pronounced dead at the scene.
The fatality was found to be a 13-year-old teenager.
Current information shows that several young people living in a social care and social rehabilitation institution had gone to Rīga to possibly consume alcoholic beverages. They then returned by train to Sloka, where they met two youngsters of their age, one of whom was later killed.
The information obtained during the investigation shows that there had been a conflict between the abovementioned youth company, as well as the victim and his friend, during which one of the group of young people living in the orphanage stabbed him twice with a knife - in the heart and abdomen area.
The group of youths allegedly abandoned the scene after what happened, leaving the injured youngster with his friend.
The same night, officers from Jūrmala Precinct arrived at the social care and rehabilitation facility and the involved parties were taken to a police station along with staff members.
The VP, in a conversation with Latvian Television (LTV) particularly emphasized the responsibility of adults, because the young people who had left the orphanage had already been announced in search. One call to police may have prevented the tragedy.
The management of the "Sprīdītis" Center had already reported to police that at 22 the youths were not back.
VP told LTV there was no alcohol found in the breath of the alleged stabber. He is in the center again because age prevents him from being prosecuted and tried.
"A person under 14 years of age shall not be held criminally liable. Status - cannot be held accountable. A security measure is not applied," said Kaspars Rekscs, VP Jūrmala precinct chieg.
Police also ask rhetorically why no adults reported drunken teenagers. They were already in search, and the police would have collected them at the train station. "For public transport drivers, conductors, controllers – when we spot minors, we inform the police! If they move around at a time when they should be at home," Rekscs said.
Jūrmala City Council's Welfare Administration told LTV said the institution had so far worked following its functions. No violations have been detected. The Sprīdītis Center Authority is under the responsibility of the City Council and the Authority's actions and activities will now be assessed.
"The institution carries out serious and extremely important work by providing orphans and children left without parental care until the age of 18 with long-term social care and social rehabilitation facilities close to the family environment. The tragic case is being investigated by police. On the part of the municipality, the actions and activities of the institution will be assessed. We express our deepest condolences to the loved ones of the victim,” said Jūrmala City Council Welfare Administration.
The suspect had previously come to the police's attention for petty theft. The teenager suspected of committing this crime has not yet turned 14, which is the age criminal liability can be applied, but further acts are being decided.
Criminal proceedings have been initiated in connection with the incident, in accordance with Section 117 (12) of the Criminal Law – for murder in aggravated circumstances of a minor.
The exact circumstances and motives of what happened are being clarified during the investigation. Police did not provide further details at this time.
