16-year-old boy arrested for stabbing death of Alexandria City High student, police say
ALEXANDRIA, Va. (7News) — An arrest has been made in the death of 18-year-old Luis Mejia Hernandez, an Alexandria City High student who was stabbed during a large group fight outside a McDonald's near the school, Alexandria Police Department said.
Police said the 16-year-old boy arrested in the case is also an Alexandria City High student, now accused in his classmate's death. APD said that 16-year-old was arrested and charged with murder.
He is being held in the Northern Virginia Juvenile Detention Center.
On May 24, officers responded to the Bradlee Shopping Center in the area of the 3600 block of King Street for the reported fight, police said. When they arrived, they found about 30 to 50 young people fighting in the parking lot.
READ | 18-year-old Alexandria City High student killed in stabbing after brawl at McDonald's
While trying to control the group of teens, police found Hernandez suffering from a stab wound. He was taken to an area hospital, where he died.
Cell phone video obtained by the 7News I-Team shows an Alexandria police car parked in the midst of the fighting. The video shows young people yelling and punching each other, as some are thrown or stumble to the ground.
In the immediate aftermath of the stabbing and fight, Alexandria City High School moved the majority of its students to virtual learning, as staff worked to "ensure that we take the time to put the supports in place for their mental health and wellbeing for the remainder of the school year".
The ACHS principal said the decision to move to virtual learning was made in response to both this local loss and the recent school shooting in Texas.
Under the high school's current plan, only seniors who need to complete graduation requirements, students who must fulfill SOL or other required testing and students in the city-wide specialized instructional program will be required to return to their respective campuses.
Hernandez was an ACHS senior and would have graduated this Saturday, June 4. The school district has said it will still hold an in-person graduation ceremony this weekend.
In a letter sent to ACPS families late Wednesday afternoon, Superintendent Dr. Gregory Hutchings updated students, parents, and staff about the arrest made by Alexandria Police.
"On behalf of the whole Titan community, I would like to again express our condolences and support for the family of Luis Mejía Hernández. Our team will continue to support our students, staff and families," Hutchings wrote.
The superintendent's letter also indicated that most Alexandria City High School students will continue to do virtual learning for the rest of this week ahead of graduation:
Just a reminder that the schedule this week has changed with a modified return for ACHS students so we can focus on social, emotional and academic learning to help fulfill critical in-person graduation requirements, provide students with the social-emotional supports needed, and afford students with an opportunity for socialization with their peers. Also, the modified return permits students who prefer classroom time with teachers in person to complete their asynchronous assignments at ACHS.
READ | Alexandria City HS reverses course, continues with virtual learning after stabbing death
For students who do come on campus or into ACHS buildings, Hutchings reminded them that new security measures have been implemented at the school "and remain in place".
Police say the investigation is into the deadly fight and stabbing is ongoing.
