This chilling incident revolves around a brutal attack on a 14-year-old boy in Snohomish County, Washington, allegedly orchestrated by two 17-year-old classmates, Milo Canales and Hayden Lusebrink. The victim, lured to Lions Park in Everett under the pretense of meeting a girl, was ambushed, robbed, and subjected to a horrific ordeal of violence. The suspects, charged as adults with first-degree assault, robbery, and kidnapping, allegedly tied the victim to a tree, stabbed him repeatedly, pistol-whipped him, and carved a gang symbol into his chest. The ferocity of the attack left the young victim “disemboweled,” according to reports, highlighting the extreme nature of the crime.
The events leading up to the attack paint a picture of a premeditated assault. The victim, accompanied by a female acquaintance, arrived at the park expecting a casual encounter. However, as he opened the car door for the girl, he was seized by Canales and Lusebrink. The girl promptly drove away, leading the victim to believe he had been set up. This calculated ambush suggests a level of planning and coordination between the suspects and possibly the girl, raising questions about her role in the incident.
The subsequent brutality inflicted upon the victim demonstrates a disturbing level of violence. Stripped of his clothes and bound to a tree, he endured multiple stab wounds to his stomach, leaving him severely injured. The suspects also allegedly used a pistol to inflict further harm, striking the victim in a brutal display of aggression. Carving the letter “N” – a symbol associated with the Norteno gang – into the victim’s chest indicates a potential gang-related motive behind the attack, adding another layer of complexity to the case.
Investigators believe the attack stemmed from a combination of gang affiliations and a prior altercation between the suspects and the victim at their high school. This suggests a history of conflict and animosity, potentially fueling the intensity of the assault. The victim’s ability to identify his attackers as fellow students further solidifies the link between the incident and their shared school environment, raising concerns about the safety and security within the school community.
Despite the severity of his injuries, the victim managed to free himself and seek help at a nearby residence. Rushed to the hospital, he is expected to survive, showcasing remarkable resilience in the face of such a traumatic experience. The swift response of law enforcement led to the arrests of Canales and Lusebrink within 24 hours of the attack. Canales, found in possession of the victim’s blood-soaked clothing, was held on a $1 million bail, reflecting the seriousness of the charges against him. Lusebrink, however, was released on a significantly lower bail of $300,000, raising questions about the disparity in bail amounts given the gravity of the accusations.
Adding to the complexity of the case is Canales’ prior criminal record. He had been facing felony charges for a robbery in Seattle just a month before the stabbing incident. Despite this, he was released on bail earlier in December, raising concerns about the effectiveness of the pre-trial release system. This case highlights the challenges faced by the justice system in balancing the rights of the accused with the need to protect the community from potentially dangerous individuals. The stark contrast between the two suspects’ bail amounts further underscores the complexities of determining appropriate bail conditions in cases involving violent crimes.
