On February 14, a 15-year-old boy from California was attacked and fatally stabbed in the heart while he was out with his high school sweetheart, giving her a Valentine’s Day she’ll never forget.
A Valentine’s Day date turned into an unimaginable tragedy when 15-year-old David Gutierrez was stabbed to death at a high-end shopping mall in San Jose, California.
The teenager was treating his girlfriend to a romantic evening out when he “was attacked by a group of juveniles.”
The San Jose Police Department (SJPD) reports that around 7:14 p.m. on February 14, officers responded to a call about a “fight involving multiple people” at Santana Row, a popular shopping and entertainment district.
When they arrived, they found David, suffering from at least one stab wound. Paramedics performed life saving measures and then the boy was taken to a local hospital where he died from his injuries.
‘Family’s happy energy’
The high schooler’s family told ABC7 he was “he was kind, empathetic,” and had a “gentle demeanor.”
“He was his family’s happy energy, whenever he walked into a room it simply lit up,” loved ones shared in a statement released to the news outlet. “Our precious young boy is an amazing young man whose life was taken too soon at the young age of 15. He was enrolled in college-bound classes to help him prepare for college. He was active in the community church activities.”
Speaking with the news outlet, Berto Barrita, David’s boxing instructor at Gladiator’s Boxing Gym, said “He was a good kid, he was outgoing, friends with everybody here, all these young guys here was a friend of his.”
The trainer at the Redwood City gym expressed his grief, saying what happened to the teenager is “devastating.”
“He joined because a lot of his friends would come here too and he just wanted to be with his friends, hang out, and box,” Barrita added.
‘Lost our baby’
David’s tragic death has sent shockwaves through the community, with many rallying around his family for support.
“My condolences are with you and the family…My daughter Emma was a great friend of David and she is very affected by all this. We will all always have David in our hearts and his beautiful big smile,” writes one online user on the GoFundMe page, organized by his aunt, Diana Gutierrez, to financially support the family.
“My deepest condolences for your loss – this hurt,” shared a second giver.
The fundraising campaign, which as of February 21 raised almost $32,000 of its $20,000 goal, reveals that the young man “was beaten and then stabbed in the heart. David fought for his life but didn’t make it to surgery. We lost our baby.”
A statement released by SJPD says the suspects fled the scene and have yet to be identified or charged. The motive and circumstances are also under investigation.
“We are at a complete loss and trying to process this incomprehensible act of violence,” family members said.
Rest in peace, David. Please share your best wishes with the family and loved ones of this young man in the comments section below, and then share this story with others so they can do the same.
