Lincoln teens charged with accessory to murder in fatal stabbing of 16-year-old

LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – Two teenagers are behind bars after police say they helped hide evidence in the murder of a Lincoln teen last month.

Guy Alkafaji, of Lincoln, is charged with one count of complicity to first-degree murder. A 16-year-old Lincoln girl also faces the same charge.

Lincoln police were called to a home near North 64th and Adams streets in the early hours of May 19. Officers found Xavian Sawyer with two stab wounds to the chest. The teen later died at the hospital.

Stephen “Max” D’Amore, 14, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of first-degree murder.

Following his arrest, police conducted several interrogations and searches during their investigation.

That led them to Alkafaji who was questioned on May 22, but court records show he denied taking the knife. He was finally arrested on Wednesday.

Police say D'Amore gave Alkafaji the knife used in the murder, and he threw it somewhere near Gregory Avenue and Strauss Court. Police believe D'Amore also gave the 18-year-old several vapes of marijuana to dispose of as he left the scene.

According to his arrest report, Alkafaji described the weapon as a six- to eight-inch knife covered in blood.

Another affidavit shows the 16-year-old girl was texting a group of witnesses while police investigated the scene that night. Police allege the girl told the group to wash the hoodie D'Amore was wearing at the time of the stabbing.

Officers later found that hoodie in a washing machine.

At his arraignment Thursday, a Lancaster County judge set Alkafaji's bail at 10 percent of $200,000. The girl, who is charged as an adult, had her bond set at 10 percent of $150,000. Both are expected to return to court on July 31.

Court documents show D'Amore posted bail on May 30.

Here is a link to Xavian Sawyer's family's GoFundMe page.

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