The boy, who police have not publicly identified, reportedly told officers he stabbed the girl in self-defense.

HOUSTON — A 10-year-old boy has been arrested and charged with murder in the February stabbing death of a 13-year-old girl, Houston police announced on Thursday.

The stabbing took place on February 4 around 7:50 p.m. at an apartment complex on Grow Lane near the Northwest Freeway.

Officers had initially been called to the scene for reports of a disturbance involving multiple people and a stabbing. When officers got to the scene, they found a 13-year-old girl with a stab wound.

The 13-year-old girl, later identified as Riley DeArmas, was rushed to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

The boy, who police have not publicly identified, reportedly told officers he stabbed the girl in self-defense.

Investigators say the boy told police the girl was part of a group of 20 to 30 people who came to the apartment complex and began assaulting people inside. It’s a claim DeArmas’ family has pushed back on, saying the girl was attacked. 

Under Texas law, 10 years old is the minimum age of criminal responsibility.

HPD said the boy was ultimately charged with murder on March 31 and was arrested in Charlotte, North Carolina, on April 22.

It was not immediately clear why the boy was in North Carolina or when he will be brought back to Harris County.

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