Instagram videos, bloody evidence: 17-year-old charged after boyfriend stabbed to death, police say
By Rachael Lardani
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HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania (WGAL) — A 17-year-old girl was charged with homicide after her boyfriend was stabbed to death, according to the Harrisburg Bureau of Police.
Officers responded to an apartment in the 1400 block of Market Street at 10:52 p.m. on Monday, April 6, for a report of a man “losing blood,” according to court documents.
Investigators said the victim, Tamar Shaw, was found sitting down while his girlfriend, 17-year-old Dalaysia Brown, held a bloody white towel to his chest.
“Shaw would not clearly explain what happened, complained he could not breathe and fell to the floor,” according to the affidavit.
Police said Shaw was transported to the hospital, where he died from his injuries.
Police: Suspect claims knife may have been in blankets
Brown told officers she and Shaw were in bed when he asked for a small kitchen knife to cut rolling papers for marijuana, according to investigators.
Brown told investigators that the knife may have become wrapped in the blankets on the bed, authorities said.
The 17-year-old claimed she was lying on the bed and sitting on top of Shaw when it happened. “She said she went to move the blankets around on top of Shaw, and he yelled out in pain. He was not sure what it was, so they took his shirt off and blood began spurting out of the wound,” according to the court documents.
Police said Brown admitted that she and Shaw had argued earlier in the day, but denied they were arguing or fighting at the time of the stabbing.
Knives, blood-stained items found Police said investigators later searched the apartment and collected evidence, including marijuana roaches, drug paraphernalia, a torn black comforter and three knives.
According to court documents, officers also recovered a white towel and a pink-colored sheet with blood on them.
911 call, Instagram videos
Investigators said Brown repeatedly asked only for an ambulance during the 911 call and did not request police.
Police also said a Crime Stoppers tip led investigators to Instagram videos allegedly posted to Brown’s account the night before the stabbing. In one video, authorities said Brown appeared to show a hand attempting to stab Shaw with a large knife while saying, “lmaoo cut that wrist up.” Police said the knife appeared consistent with one recovered from the apartment.
According to court documents, other videos allegedly showed Brown holding a knife near Shaw while making threats and throwing a serrated knife onto his neck while he was lying in bed. Investigators said that knife also appeared consistent with one found during the search.
Death ruled a homicide, coroner says
According to police, the Dauphin County Coroner’s Office ruled Shaw’s death a homicide.
The coroner said, “The stab wound entered the chest cavity and this would require significant force.”
Brown was arrested and charged with homicide, possession of an instrument of crime and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Anyone with information is advised to contact the Harrisburg Bureau of Police at 717-558-6900 or submit a tip online.
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