Family of Kayden Romo, 14-year-old stabbed to death during Escondido street fight, speaks out

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — The family of a 14-year-old boy who was stabbed to death during a street fight earlier this week is now speaking out, offering a powerful message to parents as police attempts to identify the attacker and anyone else involved.

“He was a kind soul with a bright future ahead of him,” said Randi Martin, the victim’s aunt.

The victim, identified by family as Kayden Romo, reportedly graduated from eighth grade this week at Bear Valley Middle School.

“He was extremely intelligent,” said Rick Brule, the victim’s grandfather. “He was very sociable.”

According to Kayden's grandfather, the family is still in immense grief and disbelief over what happened to him Monday evening, just before 8 p.m. Kayden was hanging out with friends on Wanek Road, just around the corner from his family's home, when he and his friends encountered another group of kids.

“Some individuals attacked some of his friends that he knew from school and got into a fight and someone attacked him and stabbed him,” Brule said. “He didn’t even know these guys.”

Escondido police said Kayden desperately tried to get help but collapsed just feet from where he was stabbed. Paramedics attempted to save him, but he unfortunately succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at Palomar Medical Center.

“Trying to deal with this, it's something you never want to happen to your family, someone took a loved one away,” Brule said.

“He was an amazing brother and I would have really loved it if he could have made it out,” said Daisy Romo, the victim's sister.

Family members say Kayden was not part of a gang and had no enemies. They treat him as an innocent victim of a street fight.

“I work with gangs and troubled youth in our city,” said Pastor Agner Medrano, a community activist and former gang member who is helping Kayden's family during this devastating time. “As parents, we have learned who our children's friends are that they hang out with. It's important, it's the key.

Family members also created a GoFundMe to help pay funeral expenses for a boy who was expected to live a long life.

“We have to stop this street violence in every city, we have to do something, not just in Escondido,” Brule said.