Teen Accused Of Murdering River Valley High School Student Remanded For Two More Weeks

The 16-year-old boy accused of killing a 13-year-old boy in River Valley High School on July 19, made an appearance in court today (August 10).

Accompanied by a new set of lawyers and his parents in the public gallery, the minor– whose identity is protected under a gag order–appeared before the court via video link. 

But it wasn’t just his appearance in a white T-shirt and light blue mask that made headlines. There is new development in this case now. 

River Valley High Student To Be Remanded For Two More Weeks

The 16-year-old was previously charged on July 20, for committing the murder of a Secondary 1 boy between 11.16am and 11.44am.

At the time, police officers found the victim laying motionless at the level-four toilet of the school that is located at 6 Boon Lay Avenue. He was pronounced dead on scene and an axe was also seized as evidence.

According to Minister K Shanmugam, as per preliminary investigations, the axe was brought online. 

The court was also told then that the accused had been assessed at the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) in 2019 after he attempted to kill himself.

He has since been in remand since he was charged.

Different lawyers have taken charge and even applied for him to talk to his parents 

Lawyer Sunil Sudheesan told the court that along with his colleague Diana Ngiam, he will take over the case from the accessed’s previous lawyer, Peter Fernando. 

He also appealed to the court to grant the 16-year-old a five-minute video call with his parents and members of his family.

“They are not to discuss the case, and it’s for the parents to check on the well-being of their son,” he reportedly told the court.

However, the public prosecutor pointed that this was a capital charge and the investigations were still underway. He also asked for two weeks’ extension of remand so that the teen can complete a psychological assessment and a forensic assessment pending further investigations by doctors from IMH.

District Judge Brenda Tan also stated that this was not the time for the teen to meet with his parents and that he will be allowed at an appropriate time.  

Mr Sudheesan then asked the prosecutor to inform the investigating officer that the student’s parents have “further information on family history” for the IMH doctor.

The judge has ordered that the teenage boy be remanded for two more weeks, returning to the court on August 24. (While punishment for murder is death, according to Section 314, a person cannot be accorded death if they were a minor at the time of the crime).   

What Happened During The River Valley High School Incident 

Here’s a timeline of how the incident that unfolded on the fateful day:

11.35 am 

• A group of students encounter a Sec 4 student outside the toilet. He was seen with an axe towards the end of the lunch break.
• They return to their classroom and inform their teacher.
• The Sec 4 student, standing with the axe, asks another group of students in the classroom next to the toilet to call the police.
• The students then follow the ‘Run-Hide-Tell’ emergency lockdown drill. They go inside their classroom, lock the doors and call their form teachers for help.
• A teacher soon arrives at the scene and asks the Sec 4 student to put down the axe. The student agrees and is taken away to the meeting room.
• Other teachers call the police and check the toilet.
• About 10 minutes later, the police arrive and take the 16-year-old Sec 4 student into custody.
• The police officers and Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) paramedics find a 13-year-old Sec 1 student in the toilet.
• The boy was lying is motionless and with multiple wounds. The paramedics pronounced him dead on the spot. 
• The principal broke the news of the incident to the rest of the staff once the situation was brought under control.
• The staff then spoke to the students and informed them about the incident. They tell them to contact their parents and inform them that they are safe.

The principal spoke to the students who were most affected by the incident. The parents of the students were informed via the Parents Gateway – a communication app –about the incident inside the school.

3.15 pm

The school starts sending the students home. They make sure teachers are at the school gates to speak to parents and students.

While the accused has now been placed under extended demand, the outcome of the case remains to be seen. However, there is clarity on the fact that this case has brought the subject of mental health to the center. 

Not just as parents, but as a society we will need to be more vigilant towards our youth and lend a helping hand where needed. If you or anyone else you know were disturbed by this news, here’s where you can seek help for your mental well-being:

• National Care Hotline: 1800 202 6868
• Institute of Mental Health’s Mental Health Helpline: 6389 2222
• Samaritans of Singapore: 1800 221 4444
• Singapore Association for Mental Health: 1800 283 7019
• Silver Ribbon Singapore: 6386 1928 / 6509 0271
• Care Corner Counselling Centre (Mandarin): 1800 353 5800

Lead image source from Instagram / rivervalleysg.

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