The sobbing girlfriend of a Wyoming teenager who was stabbed to death protecting her in a shopping center collapsed as she paid a heartbreaking tribute.
At a vigil for murdered 14-year-old Robert ‘Bobby’ Maher, his heartbroken girlfriend described him as “the bravest boy” and “the best boyfriend”, who “had no hard feelings towards anyone”.
“Bobby and I had a lot of plans for the future,” she said through tears.
Maher was held down and stabbed with a kitchen knife at a shopping center on Sunday, after Dominique Harris and Jarreth Plunkett, both 15, allegedly attacked the teen following a confrontation at a park in Evansville two weeks earlier.
The teen’s girlfriend reportedly called him to warn him that the two suspects were following her and her friends through a shopping center, prompting him to run to the scene to protect her before being stabbed.
Bobby Maher’s heartbroken girlfriend, 14, sobbed as she called him “the bravest boy” and said they had “many plans for the future” together before his death.
Robert ‘Bobby’ Maher, 14, was stabbed to death on Sunday after going to help his girlfriend from suspects at the shopping centre, as police said footage of the incident showed he “clearly didn’t want to fight”.
Bobby had reportedly gone to the mall to help his girlfriend with another friend, and an affidavit said they did so to “keep the girls safe.”
His heartbroken family described him as an “angel”, while his girlfriend paid a tearful tribute at the vigil.
Speaking about the attack that led to Bobby’s death, he said: “I’m sorry to everyone who had to witness that.”
‘I want to thank his family, because I know he loved them very much. Bobby and I had many plans for the future.
‘I never thought I’d say all this so early. I also want to thank my family for being there for me and my dad for giving me a hug in the hospital.
“Bobby would be so proud of everyone.”
The trouble that allegedly sparked the attack occurred at a park two weeks earlier, during spring break, where Maher was said to have called Harris and Plunkett “freaks” for going to the bathroom together.
Harris later told police that Plunkett asked Maher’s friend if he wanted to fight them to pay off their “blood debt” after the argument in the park.
When the two alleged attackers went to the Eastridge Mall together, they stole Red Bulls, sour candies and two kitchen knives from Target, according to the arrest affidavit.
According to police, the duo “had taken the knife knowing they were going to fight (with Maher).”
When Bobby and his friend arrived, they allegedly saw the two suspects walking near his girlfriend and her friends, and he “kept telling them” to leave while trying to get the girls away.
The entrance to the Eastridge shopping center in Casper where Bobby Maher was stabbed to death.
According to police interviews, there was a previous incident at a park in Evansville between Maher and the suspects, who claimed he called them “freaks” after seeing them enter a urinal together.
Maher is pictured with a friend in a tribute shared on Facebook after her death. It is unclear if she is one of the girls he was protecting from her when she died.
At that point, Bobby’s friend told police that Harris and Plunkett attacked, beginning with Harris allegedly “slamming” him to the ground.
Plunkett allegedly ordered Bobby to “swing on him” several times, but he “clearly did not want to fight, as he is seen moving in a continuous backward motion away” from danger, according to the affidavit.
She allegedly told Plunkett to “put the knife away” because the fight “wasn’t fair,” to which he responded, “I don’t fight fair,” Plunkett told police, according to State Cowboy Daily.
Plunkett then allegedly “walked up and stabbed” the 14-year-old with a “kitchen knife,” believed to be one stolen from Target.
Images of the incident reported by Fox News It also reportedly showed the two alleged attackers wearing balaclava-style masks as they lunged at him in the mall.
They reportedly dumped the blood-soaked knife and their ski masks in the parking lot, but were arrested the same day and charged on Monday.
Plunkett will be tried as adults and charged with first-degree murder, conspiracy to murder, aggravated assault and robbery.
Harris is charged with conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, aggravated assault and robbery.
Tributes have poured in for the murdered 14-year-old, with his grieving family describing him as an “angel”.
Tributes have poured in for the heroic teenager, as Maher’s heartbroken father wrote on Facebook: “Bobby, rest in peace my baby, I miss you so much. Dad was so proud of you and loved you so much.”
Flowers are left at the Bobby Maher memorials in Casper, Wyoming
His father, Robert, posted a picture of his son with his angel wings online and wrote: “The light Bobby brought to the world will forever shine in the hearts and memories of all who knew him.”
“He found joy in spending time with his friends and family, sharing laughter, and enjoying all that life had to offer,” his obituary said.
‘With a fearless personality and thirst for adventure, Bobby quickly became a motivated young man on the path to great things.
‘Bobby was naturally intelligent and athletic, which allowed him to thrive in many things, including his greatest passion: basketball.
‘His tenacious nature, his skill and the great support of his family helped Bobby become a star player and a joy to watch on the court.
“Bobby’s light will shine brightly on all who had the opportunity to know him.”