SHELTON, Conn. (WTNH) — The teen accused of fatally stabbing a 17-year-old in Shelton has been identified by his attorney.
Jake Donovan said 16-year-old Raul “Lito” Valle of Milford turned himself in early Wednesday morning. Valle is charged with murder and three counts of first-degree assault in the death of James McGrath, 17, of Shelton.
Valle, a St. Joseph’s High School student, was arraigned in New Haven juvenile court Wednesday. His case was transferred to adult court in Derby, where he faced a judge Thursday morning.
According to court documents, witnesses told police a car of students from St. Joseph’s High School in Trumbull showed up at a house party on Laurel Glen Drive on May 14. A fight broke out outside the house, leading to four people being stabbed, including McGrath, a junior at Fairfield College Preparatory School.
The Shelton teen was pronounced dead. The three other victims were treated at a hospital and released.
“Obviously, this is an unspeakable tragedy for everyone involved, and it would be irresponsible for me to make a comment before I had a chance to look at all the evidence in the case,” Donovan said.
Valle is being held on a $2 million bond. His case will be heard in adult court in Milford on June 7.
“Shelton is a very small-knit community and this has been a very difficult case to be involved in,” Detective Richard Bango of the Shelton Police Department said. “Many in the Shelton Police Department, including myself, have teenage children, which made it especially difficult to work this case.”
Bango said Valle and McGrath were “aware” of each other.
“This is still a very active and very ongoing investigation, so we encourage anybody that had any information to contact the Shelton Police Department,” Bango said.
Fairfield Prep released the following statement:
The Fairfield Prep Community mourns the loss of junior Jimmy McGrath and we extend our deepest sympathies to the McGrath family. Jimmy was a beloved student and athlete on the football and lacrosse teams, and will forever be a member of the Prep Brotherhood. More than 1,000 people gathered at a private prayer service on campus Sunday, followed by a schoolwide service Monday morning where President Christian Cashman addressed the students, faculty and staff: “I offer once again Prep’s loving condolence and embrace of the McGrath family. May the Spirit of healing peace and love enfold them, and may we be instruments of peace and healing in the days ahead. May God bless Jimmy McGrath, Class of 2023, forever a Man for Others, forever a Son of Fairfield Prep.” In the coming days, students and faculty have the support of the school’s leadership team, Jesuit priests, campus ministers, counselors from Prep and Fairfield University to offer help while grieving this tragic loss.
Colleen H. Adams
Director of Communications
“I ran quickly over to see if there was anything I could do. I see teenagers crying. It just broke my heart,” said Christina Louis-Fin.
The Shelton neighborhood was rocked and saddened by what unfolded.
McGrath was a member of the school’s lacrosse and football teams. The community is remembering him for being a great teammate and a friend to all.
Anyone with any information or videos of the incident is asked to call the Shelton Police Detective Bureau at 203-924-1544.