Teenager Charged Here w/Torching Car Now Suspect in His Siblings' Deaths

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Published on October 17 2017 11:03 am
Last Updated on October 17 2017 12:07 pm
Written by Greg Sapp

A Colorado teenager who was arrested in Effingham earlier this year for setting fire to the family car has now been arrested in Colorado on two counts of first degree murder.

19-year-old Malik Vincent Murphy is accused of fatally stabbing his five-year-old sister and seven-year-old brother. Murphy is also accused of stabbing his father during the incident. The father is expected to recover.

(MALIK MURPHY)

The incident occurred in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Police were called to the family home at 1:11am Tuesday, Mountain Time to investigate a reported stabbing. When police arrived, they discovered the three victims with apparent stab wounds. Murphy's sister and brother were taken to area hospitals, but died of their wounds. Murphy's father is also hospitalized.

Police are not looking for additional suspects.

Murphy was arrested in Effingham in late March after his family's car was found on fire in a grassy area along Avenue of Mid-America. The vehicle was fully engulfed in flames when firefighters reached the scene. Police officers providing traffic control for firefighters observed a male watching the fire whose clothing matched the description of a man motorists had phoned in to police. Authorities learned the person was Murphy and that it was his family's car on fire.

Murphy's Effingham County case was dismissed in late August. He was also supposed to be taking prescribed medication.

The investigation of the Colorado case is in its very early stages.

Regarding the dismissal of the local charge, Effingham County State's Attorney Bryan Kibler said the victims in the case were Murphy's parents. They acknowledged Murphy had severe mental health problems, but noted he had no criminal history. Kibler said Murphy's parents asked that their son not be charged. Kibler said local authorities then said that, if Murphy could prove he would undergo treatment, the case would be dismissed. Murphy's mother came from Colorado to pick him up after the Effingham County case was dismissed. Kibler said Murphy had at least a dozen counseling sessions since the Effingham incident. He added that Murphy had agreed to re-enroll in school and was attending Pike's Peak Community College.