A 15-year-old boy who was stabbed at a birthday party last month while defending a friend has died from his injuries, the Chula Vista Police Department said Tuesday.
The teenager was stabbed during a fight with around a dozen people at the late-night party at a home in the 900 block of Maria Way on Jan. 31, police said.
Friends of the victim said the boy, identified by police as Devin, was the type of person who would help out a friend.
Get top local stories in San Diego delivered to you every morning. >Sign up for NBC San Diego's News Headlines newsletter.
"Everyone is processing it differently but you can tell that everybody, even if they didn't know him, they knew of him (and) they're effected by it," Devin's classmate Ariana Ward said.
A vigil was held at Helix Charter High School on Wednesday evening.
The teen was rushed to UC San Diego Medical Center with critical injuries to his upper body and remained hospitalized for several weeks but, on Sunday, he succumbed to his injuries with his family by his side.
Witnesses told police the fight started between two teenagers and eventually spilled into the street, at one point becoming a brawl between anywhere between eight to 15 people.
The teenager was not originally part of the fight but was seen trying to help his friend, who was being attacked.
Local
"When he's outside, he just tries to help a buddy and actually break up the fight and ends up getting stabbed," CVPD Lt. Dan Peak said.
After the stabbing, the group of people involved -- believed to be men and women between 17 and 20 years old -- fled the scene in two vehicles, CVPD said.
Investigators are trying to locate more witnesses to the attack and any potential suspects. They believe there is a likelihood someone could have used their cell phones to record the fight and are calling for anyone with evidence to come forward.
"Devin had a lot of friends at school. He was beloved by teachers and just to hear they are reaching the community -- the difference he made at only 15 years old -- we’re just asking for a little help here," Peak said.
Anyone with information was asked to contact CVPD at (619) 691-5178 or the Crime Stoppers anonymous tip line at (888) 580-8477.CrimeStoppers is offering up to a $1,000 reward to anyone with information that leads to an arrest in this case.
