Boy, 17, dead after family says ex-girlfriend stabbed him to death at Miami apartment complex
MIAMI — A 17-year-old boy is dead after his family said his girlfriend stabbed him late Friday night, just days before the holidays.
On Sunday evening, loved ones gathered outside of the apartment complex where Yahkeim Lollar was stabbed to hold a vigil in his honor. His family told CBS News Miami that Lollar was having relationship issues with his 17-year-old ex-girlfriend when she came to the apartment complex and took his life.
About a hundred people gathered for Lollar's vigil. His mother spoke about the tremendous loss to the crowd.
"God took him away. I know everybody, even me, asks him 'why?'" she said. "But we can't question God."
The night of the stabbing
Around 11 p.m. Friday, City of Miami Police was called out to a reported stabbing at the apartment complex near 6101 NW 6th Ct.
Upon arrival, officers found the teenage girl, who was taken to Miami Police's Homicide office for questioning, police told CBS News Miami. The male victim — later identified as Lollar — was taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital, where he died.
Lollar's ex-girlfriend is currently in police custody and is a suspect in his death, but no charges have been filed at this time.
The circumstances and other details surrounding the stabbing remain under investigation.
Family reacts
Lollar's family told CBS News Miami that he was a senior at Miami Northwestern High School and a running back for its football team, having dreams of becoming a stockbroker.
Zeldrina Beecham, Lollar's aunt and a deputy with the Miami-Dade Police Department, said he was "the type of kid who always wanted to have fun" and be with his family.
Every day, she responds to tragic calls but the one she received Friday hit home.
"It's totally different from when you're going out there handling calls every day, and you see other people going through it. It's just indescribable," Beecham said. "Especially a cherished family member like him."
Beecham told CBS News Miami the teens argued on the phone, and then Lollar's ex-girlfriend came over to the apartment where her nephew lived and killed him.
"What could have been said over the phone that was so bad that you wanted to take his life?" she asked.
Lollar's loved ones said he was a good kid and a great student who stayed out of trouble.
"We taught him to stay out of the streets and keep his head on right and he did exactly that and still this happened," Beecham said.
Now days before Christmas, Lollar's family is planning his funeral.