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Students at Balboa High School in San Francisco’s Mission Terrace neighborhood honored a former classmate who was fatally stabbed earlier this week, the school’s principal said.
Victor Zheng, 16, was stabbed at about 10:55 p.m. Monday near the intersection of Capitol and De Montfort avenues, just off of Ocean Avenue in the city’s Portola neighborhood, police Officer Albie Esparza said.
Victor was taken to San Francisco General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
He attended Balboa High School for his freshman and sophomore years before opting to take a proficiency exam instead of returning for his junior year last fall, principal Kevin Kerr said.
To honor Victor’s death, the school held a moment of silence at the start of classes this morning and distributed cards that students signed, which the school will send to his family, Kerr said.
On Friday, the school will also unveil a large piece of paper that kids can write on to describe what they’re going to do to prevent violence in the future, he said.
San Francisco Unified School District officials are also providing counseling for students who were friends with Victor and request help dealing with his death, district spokeswoman Gentle Blythe said.
No arrests had been made in connection with the stabbing as of today, Esparza said.
Victor was walking with a friend when a male suspect approached and punched him multiple times, Esparza said.
The suspect, believed to be about 18 years old, then tried to flee, but Victor and his friend chased him while calling police, according to Esparza.
At some point during the pursuit, the suspect turned around and stabbed Victor in the torso with a knife, Esparza said.
The suspect fled on foot and has not been located. A description of the suspect was not available as of today, Esparza said.
Police are asking any witnesses to the stabbing to come forward. Anyone with information on the case is asked to call the Police Department’s anonymous tip line at (415) 575-4444 or text TIP411.
Dan McMenamin, Bay City News
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