Bobby Maher, 14, fatally stabbed in Casper, Wyoming

DailyKenn.com — 14-year-old Bobby Maher lost his life while attempting to protect his girlfriend from two masked assailants at Eastridge Mall in Casper, Wyoming.

Two teens, Jarreth Plunkett and Dominique Harris, were allegedly harassing his middle school sweetheart.

According to reports from the Cowboy State Daily, Maher was fatally stabbed with a kitchen knife.

Maher hurried to the mall upon receiving a distress call from his girlfriend, who informed him that Plunkett and Harris were following her and a friend. Intent on ensuring their safety, Maher urged the girls to leave the premises while repeatedly instructing the suspects to depart, as outlined in the criminal complaint.

Surveillance footage captured the sequence of events, depicting Maher retreating from the assailants, who were clad in balaclava-style masks. Plunkett allegedly goaded Maher to engage in a physical altercation multiple times, while Harris was seen lifting Maher and slamming him to the ground before delivering a series of punches.

In a moment, Plunkett purportedly brandished a kitchen-style knife and fatally stabbed Maher, prompting the assailants to flee the scene and discard the weapon and masks in the mall parking lot.

Upon apprehension, the suspects reportedly confessed to the stabbing, claiming Maher had insulted them. Furthermore, they admitted to stealing the knife from a Target store within the mall just prior to the altercation.

An acquaintance of Maher revealed to authorities that the suspects, known to them as "JJ and Dom," attended Dean Middle School with the victim. Additionally, there had been a previous confrontation between Maher and the suspects at a local park.

Plunkett faces charges of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, aggravated assault and battery, and theft, while Harris is charged with conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, aggravated assault and battery, and misdemeanor theft. Both defendants, charged as adults, had their bonds set at $500,000 and $450,000, respectively, during their initial court appearance.

Malls across America are falling on hard times due to the pervasive presence of Amazon.com, we are told.

[Boy, 14, fatally stabbed trying to protect girlfriend from two ski mask-clad teens in mall: authorities, By Social Links for Emily Crane, nypost.com, April 10, 2024]