School Security Tightened After Student Slaying, Orlando
Security Tightened After Student Slaying POSTED: 6:57 am EDT October 20, 2006 UPDATED: 7:57 am EDT October 20, 2006 ORLANDO, Fla. -- Security will be tightened and grief counselors will be available on Friday at University High School in Orange County after a 15-year-old was fatally stabbed. It happened on Thursday afternoon just after 2 p.m., and a 17-year-old student was quickly taken into custody and faces first-degree murder charges, WESH 2 News reported. Kelvin DeLaCruz is accused of stabbing Michael Nieves repeatedly with a pocketknife. It happened in front of numerous friends and classmates and is believed to have escalated from a fight over a girl. Investigators said DeLaCruz brought the knife to school with the intent of using it on Nieves. Caroline Reed's son said he saw Nieves lying in a pool of blood. "He called me crying, and he said, 'You know, mom, it's amazing. One minute someone's here and the next minute, you know, something like this happens,' so you really have to treasure life," Reed said "He's a beautiful kid. I tell you, he's a beautiful kid. He's a respectable kid. He liked the phone. He liked to play baseball. I tell you, it's a big loss for us," former coach David Garcia said. Investigators said classmates tried to save Nieves by carrying him to the closest building, but he died later at Florida Hospital-East Orlando. Friends of DeLaCruz said they're shocked at the slaying. One girl said that he's very sweet and funny and just doesn't seem like the kind of person who would do something like this. http://www.wesh.com/news/10118817/detail.html

Student Slaying Suspect May Face Charges As Adult POSTED: 2:45 pm EDT October 20, 2006 UPDATED: 4:02 pm EDT October 20, 2006 ORLANDO, Fla. -- A judge will decide whether or not to charge a teenager as an adult for the slaying of a local high school student on Thursday. Kelvin DeLaCruz, 17, is being held at a juvenile assessment center on a charge of first-degree murder, WESH 2 News reported. He is accused of stabbing Michael Nieves, 15, to death at University High School. It was a somber day at University High School on Friday, but it was also a day in which the safety and security of students received the most attention. All cars and people were checked at a security gate at the front of the school before they were allowed to enter. Early Friday, Principal David Christiansen called the slaying a tragedy, but one that should not cause students to be afraid to come to the school. "When this occurred, we immediately reacted and made sure all other students were safe," Christiansen said. "University High School has zero tolerance for this behavior, and I want to reassure you that we have a safe campus." Christiansen also disputed reports by students immediately following the stabbing that there were no deans or other adult supervisors in the bus area where the fatal stabbing occurred. It happened just after 2 p.m. when a fight broke out between the two teenage boys. Nieves, a sophomore, was stabbed in the abdomen and head. Despite efforts by paramedics, Nieves died enroute to Florida Hospital-East Orlando. Police captured DeLaCruz a short time later in a classroom, and he was charged with murder. In the school, detectives also found what they believe is the knife he used. Fifteen additional school resource officers have been assigned to the school, but that does not make some parents feel any more at ease about the safety of their children. "I really feel sorry about what happened with the kid and the parents ... I think they should have more security now on the school," parent Anna Johns said. "I can't believe the violence and the anger ... These are kids. I hate it." parent Laura Zambowski said. Students who were in the cafeteria during lunch on Thursday said DeLaCruz and Nieves had a verbal confrontation, allegedly over comments made about a girl. The principal urged students with information about anger between other students to report it right away to prevent future violence. A memorial will be held on the school's campus a few hours after school is dismissed at 2 p.m. on Friday. DeLaCruz allegedly used a 3-inch, serrated-edge knife to stab Nieves, officials said. Orange County Sheriff Kevin Beary said bringing blades like this or any cutting instrument to school should be a felony. There was some confusion about whether the law was passed last May. However, according to the area superintendent of schools, students caught with knives on campus can be suspended or expelled. Nieves' family has not said anything publicly yet, but did release a statement about Michael's death. They said they are deeply saddened. "He was the best son," the victim's mother, Carmen Nieves said, "loving and would worry about all of us and his three sisters." To comment on this story, send an e-mail to Greg Fox. http://www.wesh.com/news/10122414/detail.html

Funeral Of Teen Stabbed At School To Be Held Monday POSTED: 7:03 am EDT October 23, 2006 UPDATED: 7:25 am EDT October 23, 2006 ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. -- Monday, the funeral will be held for the 15-year-old who was killed at University High School in Orange County. Over the weekend, family and friends of Michael Nieves also paid tribute to the teenager whose young life was cut short. There was an emotional memorial Sunday at the Cathedral of Faith. More than 4,500 people came to grieve the loss of the teen. Saturday, the little league baseball team that he cherished honored Nieves with a special tribute. "God bless you and I am sorry you are going through this. Let this tree be strength to this field and strength to this family," a voice said over the public address system. As a tree was planted in her son's honor, Nieves' mother, emotionally distraught, got down on the ground and helped. "Terrible. It's been really hard. There's no words to describe what we are going through with everybody," said Dennis Felibri, Nieves' uncle. The 15-year-old high schooler was killed last Thursday by another student. The two had been arguing over a girl. Louis Harris coached Neievs since he was a child. He said he still can't believe the little boy he watched growing up is now gone. "He was such a good kid. I can't understand why this would happen. He was loved by so many people," Harris said. Parents and teammates said Downey Park was Nieves' second home. He was part of Union Park Little League and was on the all-star team. "His teammates are taking it very hard. When you grow up from tee-ball and get to this point, he's not going to be here anymore," said Hector Bonilla, his all-star team manager. Investigators said 17-year-old Kelvin De La Cruz killed Nieves after the two argued about a girl. De La Cruz has been charged with first-degree murder. http://www.wftv.com/news/10134729/detail.html

School board will help pay teen's funeral costs Erika Hobbs | Sentinel Staff Writer Posted October 25, 2006 The Orange County School Board unanimously approved giving up to $15,000 in funeral expenses Tuesday to the family of a student killed last week at University High School. Michael Nieves, 15, died Thursday after being stabbed with a knife at the school's bus loop by fellow student Kelvin De La Cruz, 17, deputies said. Michael's parents, Ismael Nieves and Carmen Salicrup, are school-district employees. "This is a gesture to help the family -- because they are part of the OCPS family -- to help them as they are trying to cope," district spokesman Dylan Thomas said. The move was an unexpected and rare one, made in comments at the end of the meeting after the board's regular business had been completed. The money will come from Superintendent Ron Blocker's discretionary fund and is pending approval by the district's legal department, Thomas said. Outgoing School Board member Tim Shea made the proposal. The fatal stabbing was the latest in a rash of violent school deaths nationwide and heightened local concerns about school safety. Critics have since called for measures such as metal detectors and tougher state laws to keep weapons from coming onto school grounds. In response, Blocker and Orange-Osceola State Attorney Lawson Lamar agreed to convene a special meeting of police chiefs to look at strategies to address youth violence. A date has not been set, Thomas said. That meeting likely will take place during a regular gathering of area police chiefs. Willoughby Mariano of the Sentinel staff contributed to this report. Erika Hobbs can be reached at ehobbs@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-6226. http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/orange/orl-nievescash2506oct25,0,476300.story?coll=orl-news-headlines-orange

School District May Have To Pull Offer To Victim's Family POSTED: 4:20 pm EDT October 25, 2006 UPDATED: 5:19 pm EDT October 25, 2006 ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. -- Everyone agreed it was something that ought to happen when the Orange County School District promised the family of a murdered student $15,000 for his funeral, but Channel 9 found out the district may not be able to pay up. Orange County school board members said they wanted to do something for the family of 15-year-old Michael Nieves. But after Channel 9 started asking questions, Eyewitness News learned it's not clear where the money will come from. Tuesday night, the school board decided unanimously that giving the money to the Nieves family was the right thing to do. But now the district is looking into if the gesture of sympathy is even legal. Though no amount of money could bring back their son, school board member Tim Shea thought the school board could offer Michael Nieves' family $15,000 to help with whatever expenses they might have during the difficult time. "I just decided we really needed to do something in helping to heal the community rather than focus on the negative aspects of this," Shea said. Investigators said Michael Nieves was stabbed and killed by 17-year-old Kelvin De La Cruz during a fight over a girl at University High School. The tragedy hit the school system hard, especially since both Nieves' parents work at Audubon Park Elementary School. Michael's father and mother have been with the school system for 11 and seven years each. "If they weren't employees, I probably would not have made the proposal," Shea said. Sympathy aside, the school board now must find a way to pay the money out. The legal department is looking into if the funds can come out of a non-recurring budget, used to pay for one-time expenses. The school board says about $20 million is available in that pool every year. "The family did not ask for this. It was just something I thought we should do to assist in the healing process," Shea said. If it is legal to pay out the money, the school board said there are no legal strings attached on the Nieves' behalf to accept the funds. Superintendent Ron Blocker will arrange how the money would be given to the family. Meanwhile, employees at Audubon Park Elementary have raised more than $2,000 for the family. http://www.wftv.com/news/10157938/detail.html