Valaree Megan Schwab was a 16-year-old girl who died after being stabbed twice in the upper torso outside of a Dunkin’ Donuts. Valaree was reported to have been bullied by Z’Inah Brown, who is also 16 years old, who fatally stabbed her.
Other students claimed that Valaree was simply trying to defend herself from her bullies.
Students at the girls’ high school said that five or six teenagers (both girls and boys) ganged up on Valaree.
The group bullied and harassed Valaree during the 10-minute walk from the school to the Dunkin’ Donuts and when Valaree tried to protect herself with some pepper spray she was stabbed in the upper torso with a steak knife by Z’Inah.
The murder happened on January 10 at 12:30 pm in New Rochelle, New York. Unfortunately, Valaree succumbed to her injuries later in hospital.
Daily MailAt the time of this writing, it is unclear if any of the other teens were involved in her killing and how long Valaree had been bullied for. It is also unclear at this time whether the girls attended school the day of Valaree’s death.
After the attack, Z’Inah fled the scene leaving Valaree to die. She was later pronounced dead in a hospital in the Bronx.
In Valaree’s obituary, she was described as a musician who had a passion for playing the guitar. She also filmed YouTube videos about causes she believed in and she is remembered by her classmates as a ‘unique’ student who always ‘spoke her mind.’
Z’Inah is currently charged with second-degree murder after she turned herself in the day after she killed Valaree. Her mother was there for her arraignment but did not speak to media about her daughter.
The school released a statement early last week: ‘the City School District of New Rochelle is saddened by the incident on North Avenue today in which a New Rochelle High School student was stabbed.’
‘New Rochelle High School and School District officials are cooperating fully with the New Rochelle Police Department in this matter. The High School and District will make counselors, social workers and other professionals available for students and staff who require assistance for as long as is necessary.’
