A 12-year-old boy in Connecticut has been charged with murder after allegedly going on a knife rampage inside his home — stabbing his mother and young sister, who later died.
The tragedy has left residents in West Hartford, where the child and his family live, “incredibly brokenhearted” as cops continue to search for a possible motive, according to the Hartford Courant, citing local officials.
“There are a thousand parents out there looking for answers,” explained state Sen. Beth Bye. “It’s going to be a community healing process.”
Authorities have not identified the family involved, but West Hartford Mayor Shari Cantor chose to name them Tuesday in a statement released on their behalf.
“We are all enduring a very painful and unimaginable loss,” it said. “Our family will never be the same. Our daughter was a beautiful child and we will remember forever her smile…laughter…and remember her for the way she loved and lived…Please understand that this loss is not contained to our family. Our children attended West Hartford schools and have so many friends that are hurting tonight as well. West Hartford is a strong community. We are comforted to know that we aren’t alone in our grief.”
The local mother who was stabbed was identified as Jane Murphy, a longtime lobbyist who worked for the Hartford law firm Murtha Cullina LLP. Her daughter was identified as Brigid Curtin, also 12.
They were both at their home in West Hartford on Monday when the juvenile suspect set upon them, according to police.
He allegedly attacked Curtin at around 3:30 p.m. before turning the knife on Murphy, who managed to call 911 moments later despite getting stabbed. Cops rushed her and her daughter to a local hospital, but were only able to save Murphy.
“You can’t fathom it,’’ said former Lt. Gov. Kevin B. Sullivan. “She’s one of my favorite people. She’s a nice, wonderful, smart, decent person. I am so sad this occurred to her and her husband and her family.’’
Murphy’s son was reportedly injured in the attack and hospitalized, as well. He was arraigned Tuesday inside his hospital room on charges of murder with special circumstances and first-degree assault. The boy is expected to face little to no jail time.
“The maximum punishment for a person 14 or younger would be a maximum of 30 months of probation supervision with or without residential placement, minus any time spent in pretrial detention,” said Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Kevin Lawlor.
He told the Courant that offenders over the age of 15 are the only ones who can have their cases transferred over to adult court. The child, however, could be sent to a state psychiatric center indefinitely should the juvenile court system rule him mentally unfit.
“Everybody is in a state of shock,’’ said Matthew Hennessy, a family friend and former neighbor who spoke to Murphy just days before her son’s rampage. “Nobody can believe it at all. It’s so unbelievable.’’
