Police arrest teen in Tulare murder case

Tulare police Saturday arrested a 16-year-old suspected of stabbing Rusty Cook, 17, of Tulare to death in a fight.

Lt. Jerry Breckinridge of the Tulare Police Department said the name of the suspect is being withheld because of his age.

"We'll leave that up to the District Attorney," he said. "My guess is if they file charges against him as an adult we'll release it."

Officers were called to a home at 518 S. Dayton St., the home where Cook had been staying, at 6:05 p.m. and found he had suffered a single stab wound to his abdomen. The youth was taken to Tulare District Hospital.

"He died shortly after 10 p.m. on Saturday night," Breckinridge said.

Officers said the suspect was arrested at his home about two hours after the stabbing occurred. They said it appeared they fought over a mutual female friend. The knife used in the assault has not been found, officers said.

Breckinridge said it appears only the 16-year-old was the only person responsible for the killing. Detectives ask anyone with information about the case to contact detective Brian Haney at 685-2300 Ext. 2155.