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The seven teenagers arrested are all Long Beach residents and are currently awaiting arraignment on Saturday, Sept. 28 at First District Court in Hempstead related to the brawl that broke out at an Oceanside strip mall earlier this month, resulting in the death of 16-year-old Khaseen Morris.
Earlier this week, Lido Beach resident Tyler Flach, 18, was indicted on a second-degree murder charge in the fatal stabbing of Morris, who was a senior at Oceanside High School.
Those arrested on Friday, Sept. 27 are all being charged with second-degree gang assault. They are:
- Haakim Mechan, 19, of E. Fulton Street, Long Beach
- Marquis Stephens Jr., 18, of E. Pine Street, Long Beach
- Javonte Neals, 18, of East Pine Street, Long Beach
- Taj Woodruff, 17, of East Fulton Street, Long Beach
- Sean Merritt, 17, of East Pine Street, Long Beach
The names of two male juveniles, both 16, both of Long Beach, were not released due to their ages.
The massive after-school brawl broke out at approximately 3:45 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 16 at the popular strip mall on Brower Avenue, police said. During the fight, Morris was fatally stabbed in the chest, and a 17-year-old was hospitalized with a broken arm and swelling to his head.
Morris, a new student at the school, died shortly before midnight on the night of his stabbing.
Police investigators believe that the fight was over a girl who may have been dating Morris. The girl was reportedly not Flach’s ex-girlfriend, but someone else involved in the brawl.
Flach had previously pleaded not guilty to the initial charge. He may face additional charges following his arraignment. He’s currently being held without bail at the Nassau County jail. The investigation into the brawl is ongoing.
As the investigation continues, others may also face charges for their roles in the fatal fight, which was captured by witnesses on cellphone video and disseminated on social media through Snapchat. In the video, a group of teenagers can be seen kicking and punching each other.
In total, there were between 50 and 70 witnesses watching the attack at the scene, police said, though few offered an assist, with several instead shooting video and posting on social media.
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