(DailyVantage.com) – Two 17-year-olds in Snohomish County, Washington, have been charged as adults following the brutal stabbing of a 14-year-old boy in what authorities believe to be a gang-related attack. Milo Canales and Hayden Lusebrink face charges of first-degree assault, first-degree robbery, and first-degree kidnapping, according to local reports.
The incident occurred on December 16 at Lions Park in Everett, Washington. The victim, who is expected to survive, was reportedly lured to the park by a girl. As he opened a car door for her, two male suspects ambushed him. The girl drove away, leaving the victim behind, and investigators suspect she may have been part of the setup.
Court documents detail how Canales and Lusebrink allegedly forced the boy to remove his clothes, tied him to a tree, and stabbed him at least eight times in the stomach, leaving him “disemboweled.” The attackers also pistol-whipped the victim and carved the letter “N” into his chest, reportedly a reference to the “Norte” or “Norteno” gang, which is active in the area. Investigators say the attack was motivated by gang affiliations and a prior altercation between the suspects and the victim at their high school.
The victim, who recognized his attackers as classmates, managed to untie himself and ran to a nearby house for help. He was transported to a hospital and is expected to recover.
Canales and Lusebrink were arrested within 24 hours of the assault. Canales was reportedly found in possession of the victim’s bloodied clothing, according to police.
The charges come amid revelations about Canales’ prior legal troubles. He had been out on bail for felony robbery charges related to a Seattle incident earlier this year. After his arrest for the stabbing, his bail was set at $1 million. Lusebrink, whose bail was set at $300,000, was released on bond.
Local authorities and school officials are investigating the role of gang activity in the attack, while the community grapples with the shocking violence.
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