DANVERS, Mass., Oct. 24 (UPI) — A teenage boy caught a movie after he allegedly stabbed to death a high school math teacher in Massachusetts, sources told ABC News.
The suspect, 14-year-old Philip Chism, was charged as an adult Wednesday with the death of Colleen Ritzer and ordered held without bail, ABC News reported Thursday.
Ritzer, 24, taught at Danvers High School, which Chism attended.
Chism pleaded not guilty.
Police discovered Ritzer’s blood in a bathroom Tuesday night before her body was found behind the school, Essex County District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett said Wednesday.
Chism was arrested Wednesday morning.
In the time between Ritzer’s death and his arrest, Chism went to see Woody Allen’s film, “Blue Jasmine,” sources told ABC News.
A prayer vigil was conducted Wednesday in Danvers outside the high school where hundreds of students and community residents remembered Ritzer as a respected, dedicated teacher, ABC News said.
Twenty miles south, there was a moment of silence for Ritzer before Game 1 of the World Series between the Boston Red Sox and the St. Louis Cardinals.
Investigators say Chism killed Ritzer Tuesday afternoon in the school’s faculty bathroom. Surveillance video indicated he used what looked to be a recycling bin to move the body to the woods behind the school.
Authorities have not offered a possible motive.
Chism’s next court appearance is Nov. 22 for a probable cause hearing.
On Monday, a Sparks, Nev., middle school teacher was allegedly shot by a 12-year-old student.
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