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Teen Charged In Stabbing

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By BILLY TOWNSEND The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 7, 2007

LAKELAND - Southwest Middle School in Lakeland takes in nearly 1,000 students each day, a mix of races, cultures and ages.

"Working with middle school kids, they're going to have their squabbles and disagreements. It's an emotional age," Principal John Wilson said.

On Wednesday, emotions turned deadly when an off-campus fight between two students - one black, one Hispanic - escalated and left a 13-year-old dead and a 14-year-old arrested on a second-degree murder charge.

Late Wednesday afternoon, police arrested Tarrod Russell in his home at 801 Windsor St. He's accused of fatally stabbing 13-year-old Kristian Marrero-Cassola in the abdomen as the two fought near the apartment complex where Marrero-Cassola lived, police said.

Witnesses told police Russell and Marrero-Cassola were arguing in front of the younger boy's apartment complex near Beacon and San Gully roads about 4 p.m. Wednesday, not long after school let out.

A fight ensued, and Russell stabbed Marrero-Cassola, Lakeland police spokesman Jack Gillen said.

Police said Thursday that a dispute at the school preceded the fatal fight, but what it involved wasn't immediately clear. Wilson said he was not aware of any confrontation between the boys at school.

Darrel Glass, Russell's cousin by marriage, said Russell came home after school to his house on Windsor Street, which is within sight of the school.

Glass said Russell then left the house, saying he was going to walk to a store. At some point, he encountered Marrero-Cassola near the apartment complex where Marrero-Cassola lived. The fight happened about 4:30.

Glass said Russell returned home after the brawl and told Glass he'd been in a fight. Within moments, Glass said, news of the stabbing broke on television, and helicopters began flying above the neighborhood.

Police knocked on the door and asked for Russell by name, Glass said.

Marrero-Cassola was a student last year at Southwest, but only recently had returned this year, Wilson said. No one was home Thursday at the apartment where he lived.

Glass echoed speculation from witnesses, students and parents that racial tension might have played a part in the fight.

Gillen said the boys hung out with small, racially homogenous groups - five or six boys in each - that apparently had clashed before Wednesday's fight. Neither group is thought to have gang ties, Gillen said.

Wilson confirmed Gillen's description and said a dean recently called all the boys into the office. He said he thought the meeting had tamped down some of the problems, which he described as fairly typical middle school tough talk.

"I don't think there is a racial problem," said Mary White, whose son attends Southwest. "I think it's hormones."

Glass said Russell has lived in the Windsor Street home with his grandmother, who is now critically ill. He said Russell's parents have not been a major part of his life for a long time. Glass and an uncle have been looking out for the boy while his grandmother is ill.

"He hasn't had a lot of things you or I had," Glass said.

He described the incident as a tragic waste. "My condolences go out to the victim's family," he said. "It's just a shame."

School resource officers were pulled from several Lakeland schools and sent to Southwest on Thursday as a precaution. Gillen said his agency had no specific concerns about possible retaliation, but it's a possibility police needed to consider.

The extra police presence should last through the end of the week, Gillen said.

Wilson said he announced what happened over the intercom. He and his staff wore black ribbons and expressed their sorrow.

"Naturally, it's a difficult day," Wilson said. "It's difficult for staff and students. It's very heartbreaking to all of us."

Special counseling and crisis teams were on hand at the school, but Wilson instructed his teachers to make the day as normal as possible.

Reporter Billy Townsend can be reached at (863) 284-1409 or wtownsend@tampatrib.com.

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