Bronx Teen Puts Up With Years Of Abuse And Finally Snaps Stabbing Two Of His Classmates

#1

Abel Cedano said that he tried to walk away when his bullies would not leave him alone. He said he was near the entrance of the classroom, but they kept throwing things at him. At the time, the whole class was being loud and rowdy. Abel says that he just snapped and started to scream.

Abel was charged with manslaughter and pled not guilty to the charges. He has been released on a bail of $250,000. Prosecutors say that Abel stabbed 15-year-old Matthew McCree and 16-year-old Ariane Laboy in the middle of the school day at Urban Assembly School for Wildlife Conservation in the Bronx. McCree died from his stab wounds and Laboy pulled through after being in a coma for more than a day.

#2

Abel said that he has been bullied in middle school since he first realized that he was gay. His classmates were relentless calling him names and making fun of his flamboyant nature. This abuse led to an attempt on his own life.

#3

Abel says that he tried to overdose on pills, but he still woke up the next day. He did not want to be anywhere near these kids. Every time he went to school, he felt trapped as if he were put into a cage with a bunch of unruly animals.

Abel's family is planning on suing the New York City public school system. They believe that none of this would have happened had they done more to stop the bullying.

#4

Abel's mother complained about her son's treatment to the school administration earlier in the school year and even tried to have him transferred to another school. Nobody would listen to her. This is also not the first time that Abel has blamed years of bullying for the fatal attack.

#5

The boy gave a press conference while at Rikers Island. That is where he was being held after his arrest for the stabbings. Abel explained that he has been a victim of bullying since the sixth grade because he is gay and that he did not mean to kill the boy.

"They bully me because I’m different. I’m not like other boys," Cedano said. "I guess I just snapped, I didn’t mean to kill him."

A spokesperson for the NYC Department of Education said, "Nothing is more important than the safety of students and staff, and the tragedy is being investigated."

#6

After Abel first spoke out about being bullied, the mother of Matthew McCree denied the allegations saying, "My son was not a bully. My son was loved." She spoke fondly of her son who loved school and had planned on attending Fordham University for basketball. The mother also said that her son is the type to "beat a bully down" before becoming one himself. McCree's stepfather shared her sentiments.

Either way, the whole situation is bad. Bullying is an epidemic in the United States, and something needs to be done. There are too many children like Abel who have the ability to snap and really hurt people or kill themselves.