The attack happened here, at Pinebrook Village in Kentwood, Michigan. (Google Street View)
Michael Verkerke, 9, was stabbed to death by a 12-year-old friend while he played outside in Kentwood, Michigan, reports Mlive.com. The attack happened at around 6 p.m. on August 4.
Here’s what we know so far:
1. The Attacker Called 911 Himself
The attacker surrendered to police almost immediately, according to Fox17. He used the phone of a man nearby to call police and tell them what he had done. The child is reported to have made statements indicating he had taken a large amount of pills. He was taken to a hospital and then transported to a juvenile center where he is awaiting charges.
2. Verkerke Tried to Make it Home After He Was Stabbed
At stabbing scene in Kentwood. Woman tells me her 9 yo nephew was stabbed. Waiting to be briefed by police. pic.twitter.com/PkRBZSjLOh
— Marlee Ginter (@MarleeGinter) August 4, 2014
The attack occurred in a mobile home park in Kentwood, Michigan. After being stabbed in the back, Verkerke ran to his home where he collapsed and died on the porch.
3. It May Have Been a Random Attack
Authorities investigating reported stabbing incident near 56th & Madison in #Kentwood. Happened just after 6pm @FOX17 pic.twitter.com/0xzf47IoUD
— ProducerWill (@Will_Frederick) August 4, 2014
WOOD TV reports that Verkerke didn’t know his attacker. The station reports that the attacker went up to three boys who were playing near his home. He asked to join in and then attacked Verkerke with a kitchen knife.
4. The Attacker Said ‘I Want to End My Life
At breaking news in Kentwood off Pinebrook. Neighbor tells is he spoke with stabbing suspect. pic.twitter.com/hQzSPOZKPU
— Marlee Ginter (@MarleeGinter) August 4, 2014
The man who let the stabber use his phone, Glen Stacy, told Fox17:
He approached me at my house, I offered him my phone and I assumed he was calling his mother. Lo and behold he was calling 9-1-1 to say ‘I stabbed someone, please pick me up, I want to end my life.’
5. The Attacker Is One of the Youngest Murder Suspects in Michigan History
Kentwood is a small community just under 10 miles north of Grand Rapids, Michigan. If tried, the attacker in the Michael Verkerke case will be the youngest person ever to be charged with murder in Kentwood. Back in January 2010, 13-year-old Keishawn Mann was charged after she killed her mother’s boyfriend.
