Seven teens at a California youth home are facing murder charges in connection with a reported brawl Saturday that resulted in a counselor’s death.
The Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department said in an alert that officers who responded to Wayfinder Family Services found David Mcknight-Hillman, 25, with blunt force injuries. The counselor was transported to the hospital, where he later died.
The Los Angeles Times reports that McKnight-Hillman was responsible for the daily care of the residents in the youth hall. Police said their investigation revealed that McKnight-Hillman tried to break up a fight when the suspects fatally assaulted him.
Authorities identified seven suspects who assaulted the victim during Saturday’s incident.
Two 18-year-old teens, Nyier Mason and Keith Lewis, have been charged with murder. The other five suspects are juveniles and are also expected to face murder charges, according to KABC.
One of the five juvenile suspects allegedly escaped from the youth home and remains unaccounted for.
Los Angeles police said a motive remains unclear. An investigation is ongoing.
Anyone with information about the incident should call the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500.
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[Featured image: Wayfinder Family Services via Google Maps/Feb. 2020]
