CASPER, WY – A teenage boy from Wyoming tragically lost his life in an effort to ensure the safety of his girlfriend from two masked teenagers at a local shopping mall, according to authorities. 14-year-old Bobby Maher faced a fatal stabbing incident with a kitchen knife at Eastridge Mall in Casper on Sunday. The scuffle started when Maher stood up against 15-year-olds Jarreth Plunkett and Dominique Harris for allegedly stalking his girlfriend and a friend of hers around the shopping center, as stated in the criminal complaint.
Maher was called to the mall by his girlfriend, who reported being followed by the two suspects. On reaching, Maher focused on herding his girlfriend and friend to safety while repeatedly urging the alleged perpetrators to back off, the court documents suggest.
The incident was captured on surveillance cameras, with Maher seen distancing himself from his attackers, who wore balaclava-style hoods. Footage reportedly shows Harris throwing Maher to the ground and assaulting him, after which Plunkett proceeded to stab Maher using a kitchen-style knife.
Subsequent to the conflict, the alleged assailants fled the scene, discarding the used knife and balaclava masks in the nearby car park. They were apprehended by the police soon after.
After being taken into custody, the suspects stated that Maher had referred to them as “freaks”. They also conceded to stealing the knife from a Target store inside the mall just before the incident.
One of Maher’s friends informed the police that the suspects and victim attended the same school, Dean Middle School, with the victim only knowing them by the names “JJ and Dom”.
Plunkett has been charged with first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, aggravated assault and battery, and theft. Harris is facing charges of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, aggravated assault and battery, and misdemeanor theft.
The bond was set at $500,000 for Plunkett and $450,000 for Harris during an initial court hearing on Monday. Both suspects are being charged as adults.