15-Year-Old Minn. Boy Is Killed While Trying to Defend Mom from Stepdad's Alleged Knife Attack

Julio Cesar Guadalupe Rodriguez.Photo: FACEBOOK

According to police, the teen got between his 35-year-old mother and her husband, 27-year-old Jaime Vaca, during an alleged episode of domestic violence.

Rodriguez’s mother was seriously wounded, but is expected to survive. The boy died at the scene as paramedics worked to save him.

Vaca has been charged with second-degree murder and first-degree assault for allegedly stabbing the boy to death and assaulting his wife.

In a post to Facebook, Austin Police Chief David McKichan called the incident “one of the most challenging and tragic calls” in the city’s history.

The chief noted that there were five other children inside the home who witnessed the killing.

McKichan also praised Rodriguez for making the ultimate sacrifice.

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He added: “I hope in time and with the family involved that we can recognize him for what he did.”

A Facebook fundraiserhas been established online to help pay for Rodriguez’s funeral.

PEOPLE was unable to ascertain if Vaca had entered pleas to the charges or had a lawyer to comment on the allegations for him.

source: people.com