While no motive has been given so far, the playground stabbing of nine-year-old Michael Conner Verkerke yesterday has shocked the western Michigan town of Kentwood.
Witnesses on the scene told investigators that as four children were playing, one of the boys pulled out a knife, and began to stab Verkerke. So far, no information has been given about the attacker in this tragic incident other than his age. TV stations WOOD and WZZM have reported the attacker as a 12-year-old boy.
While the stabbing is shocking enough, the details and events after the attack are starting to paint a surreal picture. After nine-year old Verkerke was attacked, the 12-year-old attacker then used a nearby resident’s cell phone to call 911 and turn himself in.
That nearby resident, Glen Stacy, recalls the boy stating:
?I just stabbed somebody. Please pick me up.?
The boy was also reported to be calm and cooperative with police.
Also, according to Mr. Stacy, the boy did make statements regarding the taking of pills and wanting his life to be over. The boy is now being held at Kent County Juvenile Detention Center awaiting formal charges.
As for nine-year-old Michael Conner Verkerke, he was able to run home where he collapsed on his front porch. After an ambulance was called, tragically the child died at the hospital.
While new information regarding motive is sure to arise, no reason can be of any comfort, regarding the death of a nine-year-old child in such a tragic way.
Violence is violence, whether by gun, knife, or any other form. And as a society, not only do we have to be vigilant when it comes to upholding certain laws that are there to protect our children, we can not ignore the mental health aspects of these types of tragedies.
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Watch video of the news report below.
