The father of the teenager charged with the murder of Connecticut lacrosse player James McGrath has apologized to the 17-year-old’s family.
Court documents identified 16-year-old Raul Eliah Valle, of Milford, as the teenager accused of stabbing 17-year-old James McGrath during a fight outside a house party in Shelton on Saturday.
Valle was taken into custody early Wednesday – four days after the drunken assault that killed Fairfield Prep student McGrath and injured three others.
The 16-year-old has been charged with murder and triple assault and is being held on $2 million bail, police said.
Valle’s father Raul was spotted outside a Derby courtroom on Thursday, tucking his head under a black suit jacket and quietly saying: “I’m sorry for the family,” courtant.com reported.
Valle’s defense attorney Jake Donovan (pictured) told reporters he would not be discussing the case during the investigation
McGrath, who had been a standout lacrosse player for Fairfield Prep private school, was found stabbed to death late Sunday outside the Shelton home where police said a party was in full swing
James McGrath (pictured), who was once stabbed in the chest, was taken to a local hospital where he later died
Valle’s defense attorney, Jake Donovan, told reporters he would not discuss the case during the investigation.
“Obviously, this is an unspeakable tragedy for all involved and it would be irresponsible of me to make any comment before I have a chance to review all of the evidence in the case,” Donovan said outside the courtroom. “I appreciate your interest and concern, but again, I need to see the entire file.”
Valle’s case has been referred to Milford Court, where he will stand trial as an adult, and the next scheduled hearing has been set for June 7.
According to an arrest warrant, Valle attended a house party Saturday that was being held in Shelton for students at St. Joseph High School in Trumbull that he was attending, Greenwichtime.com reported.
Sometime during the night, a group of students from Shelton High School arrived and a fight ensued between groups from opposing schools.
After the fight broke up, the Shelton High students left to go to another house party on Laurel Glen Drive, where Valle and his other friends followed.
The apartment where the murder took place – which police said did not belong to McGrath’s – is about six miles from Milford, the suspect’s hometown. It is unclear who owns the property
His school, Fairfield Prep — an all-male facility that costs $23,000 a year to attend — confirmed the junior’s death in a statement
A GoFundMe has been set up for the family (pictured) to help cover the cost of their son’s funeral. The fundraiser raised nearly $125,000, well surpassing the $15,000 goal
After Valle and his group were told to leave, a fight broke out on the front lawn and several people were stabbed to death.
A witness said that after the fight ended, Valle got up and walked to his car and McGrath stood nearby but did not follow him, according to the warrant.
“He said (Valle), then turned and took his knife and stabbed (McGrath) right in the stomach and pulled it out,” Detective Richard Bango quoted the witness as saying in the warrant.
McGrath, who was stabbed once in the chest, was taken to a local hospital where he later died.
The 17-year-old, better known to his classmates as Jimmy, was a standout lacrosse star for Fairfield Private School, according to his obituary, where he was loved by all.
When asked for comment on Valle’s arrest on Wednesday, McGrath’s father Kevin told the New York Post he was too distraught to speak.
“Just give me a little time to process it all,” McGrath told the newspaper.
The school held a private vigil for the teenager (pictured) which more than 1,000 turned out
McGrath (pictured with his sister) played lacrosse and football at the prestigious private school
Fairfield Prep — a prestigious all-male institution that costs $23,000 a year to attend — commented on the high school junior’s death in a statement released Monday, writing, “Jimmy was a beloved student and athlete in football and lacrosse -Teams and will forever be a member of the Prep Brotherhood.’
The school held a private vigil for Student Athlete Sunday, where more than 1,000 people gathered to honor his life. The school announced that it would offer bereavement counseling to the students.
“In the coming days, students and faculty have the support of the school’s leadership team, Jesuit priests, campus ministers, advisors from Prep and Fairfield University to offer assistance as they mourn this tragic loss,” the school announced Monday.
“Many described Jim as a wonderfully happy man with a big heart who was a loving friend to many,” the tribute reads. “He loved his school, Fairfield Prep, and he excelled in any sport he chose.”
“May God bless Jimmy McGrath, born 2023, forever a man to others, forever a son of Fairfield Prep,” said President Christian Cashman.
A neighbor who lives across the street from the house said it was “sad to see what is happening to our teenagers” and said she was “scared” about sending children to school when they come of age.
“They make so many wrong mistakes and wrong decisions,” Christina Louis-Fin told FOX 61.
Friends and family of the McGraths have started a GoFundMe page to help his parents Kevin and Margaret pay for their son’s funeral.
So far, the fundraiser has raised nearly $125,000, far exceeding the $15,000 goal.
has attempted to reach out to the family for comment.