Argument Ends In Stabbing At Roseville Park; 1 Teen In Custody, Another Fighting For Life

ROSEVILLE (WWJ) - A brawl at a Roseville park that started over a rumor ended with a teenager in critical condition and another facing an attempted murder charge.

Police say they responded to Veterans Memorial Park, at 11 Mile and Barkman Street, around 9 p.m. Monday after receiving several calls about a large fight taking place.

When officers arrived on the scene, a group of teens who were gathered around the gazebo area fled on foot. Officers then noticed a 16-year-old Eastpointe boy lying on the ground with an apparent stab wound to his upper chest.

Witnesses told police the victim was arguing with another boy when the suspect pulled out a knife and stabbed him. Police say the argument was over a rumor that the suspect was apparently spreading about the victim's girlfriend.

"The victim confronted the suspect about his alleged role in passing falsehoods about the girlfriend and the two began to argue," police said in a statement. "The suspect is now claiming he did not intend to stab the victim, he merely intended to scare him away but the altercation got out of hand."

The teen was rushed to a local hospital and immediately underwent open heart surgery to repair the damage to and around his heart, caused by the stabbing, police said. He remains in critical condition.

Prior to being transported to the hospital, the victim was able to tell officers the name of his attacker. Police located the suspect, a 15-year-old Roseville resident, approximately 30 minutes after the stabbing. He was taken into custody without further incident.

The suspect is currently being held in the Macomb County Youth Home and will be arraigned later Tuesday on a charge of attempted murder. Prosecutors will determine if the suspect will be charged as an adult, due to the severity of the crime involved.

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