A Clearwater, Fla. teenager randomly decided to kill the first person who crossed his path because he was upset with his parents, police say.
The-then 15-year-old stabbed to death a man who was biking home from work on the night of January 5. It was Clearwater’s first homicide of the year. The body was found on the side of the road the next day.
Clearwater police made the arrest on Thursday after a seven month investigation. Authorities apparently learned about the suspect’s alleged involvement in the crime from a tipster who also turned in the purported murder weapon. Police identified the suspect as Mychal King, and he has been charged with first degree murder.
The victim was Jason Paul, 22. Paul’s parents had previously offered a $10,000 reward for information on their son’s murder.
The Tampa CBS affiliate reports that “Police say it appears that King, 16, did not have a motive for the crime and that he was acting out because of family problems at home. Anger over those problems apparently led to King stab the first person he encountered.”
The Tampa Bay Times provided a similar summary of what happened at the Clearwater intersection: “King confessed to killing Paul, [police chief Anthony] Holloway said. He told detectives that on Jan. 5, he had argued with his parents and left his home with a knife in his hand. He spotted Paul as he turned left on his bike onto Glenwood Avenue. King confronted Paul and stabbed him, police said.”
The suspect, who has a long rap sheet, is already behind bars at the Pinellas County Jail on other charges. He may be tried as an adult for the stabbing death of Jason Paul.
Earlier this month, three Oklahoma teens allegedly murdered a college student from Australia because they were bored and wanted to do something fun.
