Teen dies from wounds in stabbing

Williams residents are mourning the loss of 13-year-old Edgar Ibarra, who died Tuesday evening from stab wounds he received during a fight with another teen.

Ibarra died at University of California Medical Center in Sacramento, where he had been hospitalized since Saturday.

"This is an incredibly sad and difficult day for everyone in our community," said Williams Police Chief Jim Saso, in a statement. "One young life has been lost and another is in custody as a sole result of a fist fight that led to a stabbing."

Police said the altercation, which escalated from a verbal argument, occurred around 9 p.m. near Seventh and C streets, where both teens lived. The boys lived next door to each other in a quiet neighborhood near the school they both attended.

When police arrived at Ibarra's home Saturday, they found him laying in his backyard with stab wound to his upper body from a ballpoint pen.

The suspect, who turned 13-years-old just one day after the fight, remains in custody at Bi-County Juvenile Hall in Marysville awaiting formal charges, Saso said. His name has not been released because of his age.

On Wednesday, the Williams Police Department and Williams School District officials met with the seventh and eighth graders at the middle school to inform students of Ibarra's death and offer assistance.

Most of Ibarra's classmates, however, already knew. Postings to "My Space" pages began circulating immediately after his death.

One teen stated, "I love you Edgar. Rest in peace. I will never forget my promise, the last words you told me, and the way I held your hand at the hospital."

Many stated simply, "We will miss you."

Contact Tri-Counties Newspapers reporter Susan Meeker at 458-2121 or at smeeker@tcnpress.com