Topline: Police found the suspect with a bloody knife believed to have been used in the murder of a 14-year-old, who was found on the street Friday morning with multiple stab wounds to the chest.
Published: January 18, 2025 8:30 am ET
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Video surveillance of Waldo Mejia (via NYPD)
MOTT HAVEN, NY — A man was arrested on Saturday in connection with the unprovoked stabbing death of 14-year-old Caleb Rijos, who was on his way to school the previous day in the Bronx.
According to WABC, the suspect—29-year-old Waldo Mejia was responsible for a second stabbing in less than a week.
Police said Mejia was escorted from the 40th Precinct in handcuffs, angrily shouting expletives at reporters.
Police found him in possession of weapons, including the bloody knife believed to have been used in the murder of Rijos, who was found on the street Friday morning with multiple stab wounds to the chest. He was later pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.
The investigation quickly advanced as authorities released a photo of the suspect fleeing the scene. It wasn’t long before police realized Mejia was connected to another violent crime, according to police.
NYPD Chief of Detectives Joe Kenny explained that an officer from the Transit Bureau recognized the suspect in the murder case as resembling the perpetrator of a stabbing that occurred on January 5 at the subway stairs on East 138th Street. In that earlier attack, Mejia had approached a man from behind and stabbed him in the arm, police said.
The suspect also has a troubling history. Late last year, Mejia was arrested after he stabbed a neighbor’s Ring camera. He was taken into custody on November 27 and charged, but was released on his own recognizance. Following his release, detectives showed the arresting officer images of the suspect from the Friday stabbing. She immediately identified Mejia as the same individual.
This recognition led authorities to Mejia’s whereabouts, and he was arrested just hours after Rijos’ murder.
Mejia’s criminal record also includes charges for arson and gun possession, WABC reported.
Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark emphasized the need for more resources to address mental health issues, particularly when they intersect with criminal behavior.
“When we’re talking about people with serious mental illnesses, we need more resources to hold them accountable when they commit crimes,” Clark said.
Police noted that Mejia had a history of interactions with law enforcement in which his mental health appeared to be a factor.
On Saturday, Mejia was formally charged with murder, manslaughter, and criminal possession of a weapon. Additional charges related to the subway stabbing are expected.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Police found the suspect with a bloody knife believed to have been used in the murder of a 14-year-old, who was found on the street Friday morning with multiple stab wounds to the chest.
By Jacob Charles
Published: January 18, 2025 8:30 am ET
Video surveillance of Waldo Mejia (via NYPD)
MOTT HAVEN, NY — A man was arrested on Saturday in connection with the unprovoked stabbing death of 14-year-old Caleb Rijos, who was on his way to school the previous day in the Bronx.
According to WABC, the suspect—29-year-old Waldo Mejia was responsible for a second stabbing in less than a week.
Police said Mejia was escorted from the 40th Precinct in handcuffs, angrily shouting expletives at reporters.
Police found him in possession of weapons, including the bloody knife believed to have been used in the murder of Rijos, who was found on the street Friday morning with multiple stab wounds to the chest. He was later pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.
The investigation quickly advanced as authorities released a photo of the suspect fleeing the scene. It wasn’t long before police realized Mejia was connected to another violent crime, according to police.
NYPD Chief of Detectives Joe Kenny explained that an officer from the Transit Bureau recognized the suspect in the murder case as resembling the perpetrator of a stabbing that occurred on January 5 at the subway stairs on East 138th Street. In that earlier attack, Mejia had approached a man from behind and stabbed him in the arm, police said.
The suspect also has a troubling history. Late last year, Mejia was arrested after he stabbed a neighbor’s Ring camera. He was taken into custody on November 27 and charged, but was released on his own recognizance. Following his release, detectives showed the arresting officer images of the suspect from the Friday stabbing. She immediately identified Mejia as the same individual.
This recognition led authorities to Mejia’s whereabouts, and he was arrested just hours after Rijos’ murder.
Mejia’s criminal record also includes charges for arson and gun possession, WABC reported.
Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark emphasized the need for more resources to address mental health issues, particularly when they intersect with criminal behavior.
“When we’re talking about people with serious mental illnesses, we need more resources to hold them accountable when they commit crimes,” Clark said.
Police noted that Mejia had a history of interactions with law enforcement in which his mental health appeared to be a factor.
On Saturday, Mejia was formally charged with murder, manslaughter, and criminal possession of a weapon. Additional charges related to the subway stabbing are expected.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Bronx Teen Murder Suspect Has Violent History, Arrested Hours After Killing
Police found the suspect with a bloody knife believed to have been used in the murder of a 14-year-old, who was found on the street Friday morning with multiple stab wounds to the chest.
By Jacob Charles
Published: January 18, 2025 8:30 am ET
Video surveillance of Waldo Mejia (via NYPD)
MOTT HAVEN, NY — A man was arrested on Saturday in connection with the unprovoked stabbing death of 14-year-old Caleb Rijos, who was on his way to school the previous day in the Bronx.
According to WABC, the suspect—29-year-old Waldo Mejia was responsible for a second stabbing in less than a week.
Police said Mejia was escorted from the 40th Precinct in handcuffs, angrily shouting expletives at reporters.
Police found him in possession of weapons, including the bloody knife believed to have been used in the murder of Rijos, who was found on the street Friday morning with multiple stab wounds to the chest. He was later pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.
The investigation quickly advanced as authorities released a photo of the suspect fleeing the scene. It wasn’t long before police realized Mejia was connected to another violent crime, according to police.
NYPD Chief of Detectives Joe Kenny explained that an officer from the Transit Bureau recognized the suspect in the murder case as resembling the perpetrator of a stabbing that occurred on January 5 at the subway stairs on East 138th Street. In that earlier attack, Mejia had approached a man from behind and stabbed him in the arm, police said.
The suspect also has a troubling history. Late last year, Mejia was arrested after he stabbed a neighbor’s Ring camera. He was taken into custody on November 27 and charged, but was released on his own recognizance. Following his release, detectives showed the arresting officer images of the suspect from the Friday stabbing. She immediately identified Mejia as the same individual.
This recognition led authorities to Mejia’s whereabouts, and he was arrested just hours after Rijos’ murder.
Mejia’s criminal record also includes charges for arson and gun possession, WABC reported.
Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark emphasized the need for more resources to address mental health issues, particularly when they intersect with criminal behavior.
“When we’re talking about people with serious mental illnesses, we need more resources to hold them accountable when they commit crimes,” Clark said.
Police noted that Mejia had a history of interactions with law enforcement in which his mental health appeared to be a factor.
On Saturday, Mejia was formally charged with murder, manslaughter, and criminal possession of a weapon. Additional charges related to the subway stabbing are expected.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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