Tragic Morning in the Bronx: Career Criminal Arrested After Fatal Stabbing of 14-Year-Old Boy on His Way to School

New York, NY — A deeply disturbing sequence of events unfolded in the Bronx this past week resulting in the death of a 14-year-old boy, and leaving a community grappling with grief and anger. 29-year-old Waldo Mejia has been arrested in connection with the murder of Caleb Rijos, who was tragically killed on his way to school.

Early Friday morning, as Rijos was en route to Bronx Leadership Academy, he was assaulted in an unprovoked attack, suffering two stab wounds to the chest, according to police reports. Despite attempting to flee, he collapsed between two parked cars. A passerby acted quickly, flagging down an ambulance, but the teenager’s injuries proved fatal, claiming his life minutes later.

At a recent press briefing, Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark recounted the heart-wrenching phone call Rijos made to his father during his final moments. “He couldn’t breathe and was scared,” Clark shared, describing the impact of the tragedy on the family and community as “unfathomable.”

New York Police Department Commissioner Jessica Tisch, in a subsequent press conference, noted that Mejia, the suspect, was apprehended with a bloody knife in his possession. Tisch emphasized Mejia’s extensive criminal background, including prior arrests and identified mental health issues, which underscored systemic failures in managing repeat offenders and individuals with mental health challenges.

Mejia faces charges of second-degree murder, first-degree manslaughter, and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon in relation to the death of Rijos, reflecting the severity of the incident.

Further linking Mejia to local crimes, Tisch revealed that he is also the prime suspect in another stabbing incident occurring just a week prior at the Third Avenue-138th Street subway station. A 38-year-old man sustained an arm injury in that attack and required several stitches.

Community members are mourning the loss of Rijos, who was not only an excellent student but also an enthusiastic football player. His untimely death has sparked discussions about the effectiveness of local law enforcement strategies and mental health services in preventing such tragedies.

Authorities have pieced together evidence from surveillance footage, which reportedly shows Mejia exiting his residence shortly before attacking Rijos. The proximity of his home to both crime scenes has provided investigators with critical leads in the case.

As the legal proceedings against Mejia unfold, this case continues to stir significant public discourse on crime, mental health, and safety in urban communities, particularly focusing on how cities can better protect their most vulnerable residents from such devastating acts of violence.