An individual involved in the Slender Man stabbing incident is set to be released from a mental health facility, according to NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch. The individual, identified as Mejia, was characterized by Tisch as a “violent recidivist” with a substantial criminal background and a history of interactions with the NYPD related to mental health issues.
14-year-old Caleb Rijos, a student at Bronx Leadership Academy High School, was described by Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark as a well-regarded student and football player. Clark expressed deep sorrow over what she termed an “unfathomable” tragedy and extended condolences to the boy’s family. She recounted the heartbreaking final moments of Rijos, noting that he called his father, expressing fear and difficulty breathing, before his father tragically heard him succumb.
Suspect Waldo Mejia, arrested for the murder of Rijos on January 11, 2025, is believed by police to have been involved in another stabbing incident earlier the same year, specifically on January 5. During this incident, a 38-year-old man was wounded after being stabbed in the arm while entering a subway station in the Bronx, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny confirmed. Mejia had prior encounters with the law, having been apprehended on November 27, 2024, for allegedly damaging a neighbor’s Ring camera with a kitchen knife. Despite this arrest, Mejia was released the following day on his own recognizance.
Surveillance footage showing Mejia was instrumental in his identification and subsequent arrest in connection with the January 5 stabbing. At the time of his apprehension at his residence, Mejia was discovered in possession of a knife stained with blood, as reported by Tisch.
Further delving into Mejia’s criminal history, it was revealed that he was previously arrested in 2019 for charges of burglary and arson related to setting fire to a neighbor’s residence. Additionally, arrests in 2017 and 2015 were made on charges involving possession of weapons, according to police records.
Expressing poignant lamentation for the tragic loss of life, Commissioner Tisch labeled the killing as “absolutely senseless and tragic.” She highlighted the devastating impact of the incident, underscoring the failure of existing systems to adequately address recurring offenders and individuals grappling with severe mental health challenges.
Efforts to reach out to Mejia’s legal representation and the NYPD for comment by ABC News were made but remained unanswered at the time of reporting.
The incident involving the fatal stabbing of 14-year-old Rijos in New York City is a stark reminder of the profound consequences of unchecked violence and untreated mental health issues within communities. As authorities navigate the aftermath of this heartbreaking event, questions linger about the effectiveness of existing mechanisms in preventing such tragedies and ensuring the safety and well-being of all individuals.
