Bronx community rallies for justice after 14-year-old boy's murder
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THE BRONX, N.Y. (PIX11) -- A community rally in the Bronx to demand changes to the criminal justice system after a 14-year-old boy was randomly stabbed to death while walking to school.
Police say without warning on Friday, 29-year-old Waldo Mejia stabbed Caleb Rios in the chest as he was on East 138th Street in the Bronx.
According to records from the Bronx District Attorney's Office, Mejia has been charged at least five times in 10 years: Criminal Possession of a Weapon (Knife) in January 2015; Trespass and Unlawful Possession of a Knife in December 2016; Criminal Possession of a Weapon (Gun) in May of 2017; Arson and Burglary in April of 2019; and Criminal Mischief and Harassment in November of 2024.
Police say Mejia is also the suspect who randomly stabbed a man at the East 138th Street Station in the Bronx on Jan. 5th - just five days before Rios' murder.
The rally on Monday was organized by the Bronx Youth Empowerment Group, where Caleb Rios was a member last year. The leader of the group, Andy King spoke about the current state laws that determine bail eligibility and said, "Kids are being killed by crazy people, on the street! No more can we tolerate this, and if you're an elected official, shame on you for not standing up and doing something different."
Three of Rios' friends, who are 14 years old, also spoke at the rally about the loss of their friend. Tahjae Griffiths said, "he would just bring a smile to your face every time you would see him. He was smart."
Xavier Lennox said, "Caleb was a very jolly individual, I remember days when we would go to this park right here, and play football, all four of us."
Jeremiah Watt said, "Caleb doesn't deserve this, the person who did this should be locked up forever, that's my own personal feelings.
Mejia was held without bail after his arraignment on a Murder charge. During the proceeding, Mejia yelled out that he was "with Satan".