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A 14-year-old boy was stabbed to death in a “senseless” broad-daylight Friday morning attack outside a Bronx public housing complex, according to authorities.

Caleb Rios was stabbed twice in the chest around 9:25 a.m. behind a building on East 138th Street near Lincoln Avenue, part of NYCHA’s Mitchel Houses in Mott Haven, cops said.

The vicious attack left the boy unconscious and unresponsive, and he was rushed to Lincoln Medical Center, where he succumbed to his injuries.

A friend of the family said his last words were “I can’t breathe.”

“It’s senseless. He’s not a kid from the street,” another family friend said hours after the murder. “It’s just senseless.”


  A 14-year-old boy was stabbed twice in the chest and killed Friday morning in the rear of a Bronx NYCHA complex, authorities said.
 A 14-year-old boy was stabbed twice in the chest and killed Friday morning in the rear of a Bronx NYCHA complex, authorities said.

  The teen died at Lincoln Medical Center. Google Maps The teen died at Lincoln Medical Center. Google Maps

  The victim was stabbed twice in the chest around 9:25 a.m. near a building on East 138th Street near Lincoln Avenue. Robert Miller The victim was stabbed twice in the chest around 9:25 a.m. near a building on East 138th Street near Lincoln Avenue. Robert Miller

She added that “there’s no words to describe how [Rios’ dad] feels right now.”

“He was quiet, to himself. Nothing,” the friend recalled of the slain teen. “None of this makes sense.”

The boy’s family declined to speak and requested privacy. 

Meanwhile, a sign in the hallway of the 14th floor was altered with marker to read, “14 years old you move like a b—h.” 

It’s unclear whether the vandalism was linked to Rios’ murder. 


  No arrests have been made as no motive has been made clear. Robert Miller No arrests have been made as no motive has been made clear. Robert Miller

  The suspect hasn’t been identified. Robert Miller The suspect hasn’t been identified. Robert Miller

Police released surveillance images of a suspect in the vicious shooting Friday night as the boy’s killer remained on the loose.. No information was immediately available on a suspect or motive — though a family friend said he had heard it was over a phone.

“Over a f–ing phone,” the friend said. “He should have just gave the f–ing phone.”

Rios had no prior arrests, sources said. 

The deadly attack follows a violent start to the year for the city’s teens — with 10 young people shot on New Year’s Day outside a Queens club, and a 17-year-old boy shot a day later outside his Brooklyn school. 


  The deadly attack is the latest string of violence among teens in the Big Apple. Robert Miller The deadly attack is the latest string of violence among teens in the Big Apple. Robert Miller


  10 people were shot on New Year’s Day outside a club in Queens, and a 17-year-old boy was shot a day later outside his Brooklyn school. Robert Miller 10 people were shot on New Year’s Day outside a club in Queens, and a 17-year-old boy was shot a day later outside his Brooklyn school. Robert Miller

A woman who lives near the scene of the Friday murder described teen violence as “the worst,” adding, “It’s what they’re learning.”

“When it comes down to children, it’s crazy,” the neighbor said. “Oh my God.”

“A lot of s—t be happening. It’s tragic,” added another local resident, Demi G. “It shouldn’t have to be like that — kids dying who don’t have time to explore the world.”

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