SF students in mourning after classmate fatally stabbed

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- A memorial is growing in tribute to 14-year-old Rashawn Williams, a student from Sacred Heart Preparatory school in San Francisco. He was stabbed to death earlier this week outside a corner store in the city's Mission District. A 14-year-old suspect is in custody.

Rashawn's death has devastated his family and his school. Sacred Heart has released a stabbing on the stabbing. Principal Gary Cannon says he's talking with the victim's family to talk about how to remember Rashawn and how the school can help.

As students headed into class Thursday morning at Sacred Heart Cathedral in San Francisco, Cannon described the mood.

"Somber, resilient," he said, "You know, we talk about cherishing one another. About how the unexpected, the tragic, remind us and helps us to focus our priorities."

The 14-year-old freshman was stabbed to death outside a market at 26th and Folsom streets, where a memorial to him now decorates the sidewalk.

Police have arrested a 14-year-old former classmate of Rashawn's. The two went to middle school together in the Mission. Rashawn's family says the suspect had threatened the teen over social media.

"He had a lot of friends, all that stuff, and the little boy was jealous of him ever since from kindergarten to 8th grade," said the victim's uncle, Elwood MacMurray.

School administrators say they will be checking in with Rashawn's teachers on Thursday.

"Today, it's my intention with our director of human resources and our director of counseling and advising and others to gather teachers who had him in class to make sure we are supporting them in terms of the work they are doing," said Cannon.

He says offers to help have been pouring in from across the Bay Area and the school community, with some parents wondering if they can offer financial help to Rashawn's family. The students are also hard at work on offering condolences.

"Writing cards," Cannon said. "Again, at the prayer service yesterday we had the opportunity to write notes and comments and the same with the student body officers to do something so we can deliver stuff to the family that shows our support."

Police have not released the suspect's identity or a motive. Because he is a juvenile, they say they are limited in what they can release.