Arrest Made In Fatal Metro Stabbing
WASHINGTON (WJZ) -- Police in Washington DC have made an arrest in the murder of a Connecticut man. Eighteen-year-old Jasper Spires appeared in court Tuesday, charged with first degree murder.
Mary Bubala reports police say he stabbed 24-year-old Kevin Sutherland to death in a violent robbery on the DC Metro.
Kevin Sutherland seemed to have everything going his way. He had recently started working for a political strategy firm, where his coworkers are now mourning his loss.
On the company website, they say Sutherland was one of the brightest political digital strategists in the country.
Students at American University are also grieving. Sutherland graduated in 2013 and was a twice-elected student government officer.
His three closest friends say they are devastated by the loss.
"Life was just beautiful for him. He enjoyed it and he enjoyed every minute of it," said one friend.
Police say Sutherland was on the Metro early Saturday afternoon, heading out to meet friends to celebrate the Fourth of July. DC police say he was stabbed to death on a train as it approached the NOMA station. They say 18-year-old Jasper Spires is his suspected killer. Spires is now charged with first degree murder while armed.
Sutherland's father says his son was killed for his cell phone. Police confirm the phone was found smashed on the ground outside the Metro.
"He's one of the kindest people I have ever known. It's going to be hard without him but I think the best way to honor him is to keep believing in what he believed in and keep doing what he wanted us to do," said another friend.
Police say Spires had just been released from jail on Friday on a misdemeanor charge of assault.
