Grand Rapids teen killed in stabbing: Person of interest in custody after friend allegedly attacks recent grad
An 18-year-old recent Grand Rapids high school graduate was stabbed to death while celebrating a friend's birthday. The police have a person of interest in custody.
A birthday celebration turns fatal on Grand Rapids' southwest side
An 18-year-old recent high school graduate was stabbed to death in Grand Rapids just after midnight on Sunday, and the police have a person of interest in custody as of Tuesday. The victim, Gatlok "Gattie" Nguany, was out celebrating a friend's birthday when the attack happened near Goodrich Avenue Southwest and Cesar E. Chavez Street Southwest.
The Kent County Medical Examiner ruled the death a homicide, the Grand Rapids Police Department confirmed in a release Tuesday.
"Gattie was a loving person with lots of friends and family, and an athlete, a family-oriented, loving child," an aunt told News 13. "If I had to describe him, I would say humble and kind. He was a country-loving hunter, fisher, played football and basketball with the school and his friends and cousins and friends."
Family says attacker was someone Nguany trusted
Nguany, of Cedar Springs, had recently graduated from Morley Stanwood High School in Mecosta County. His family said he was riding Lime scooters with a group of friends that night when the violence began.
According to Fox 17, family members told reporters the person responsible was "somebody he trusted, somebody he called a friend." WOODTV reported that Nguany's mother said the attack stemmed from a dispute over a scooter.
Fox 17 noted it had not been able to verify the family's claim about the suspect with investigators. The Grand Rapids Police Department did not release a motive in its Tuesday statement.
Name means "a powerful God"
Nguany died at a local hospital shortly after the stabbing, WWMT reported. Family members are remembering him through the meaning of his first name. His family told Fox 17 that Gatlok means "a powerful God."
A GoFundMe campaign titled "Support for Gattie Nguany's Family" has been created to help relatives cover funeral and related expenses, according to Scallywag and Vagabond.
Investigation continues
The Grand Rapids Police Department asked anyone with information about the stabbing to call detectives at (616) 456-3380 or submit an anonymous tip through Silent Observer at (616) 774-2345.
An investigation is ongoing, according to the department's release.
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