A 17-year-old from Syosset, New York has been charged with second-degree murder following the fatal stabbing of 15-year-old Liam Delemo at a crowded house party in West Babylon, authorities announced Monday, November 10. The incident, which Suffolk County Police say unfolded during a fight on November 3, has shaken the Long Island community as investigators piece together what happened during a gathering attended by as many as 100 teenagers.
Police said officers responded at approximately 10:25 p.m. after a confrontation broke out outside a home where the party was underway. During the altercation, Delemo was stabbed and later transported to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The case was quickly turned over to homicide detectives.
What Police Say Happened
According to a statement from Suffolk County Police, an estimated 90 to 100 teens were present when the fight erupted. Authorities have not released a detailed account of what led to the altercation, noting that the investigation remains active. Officials also confirmed that due to his age, the name of the 17-year-old charged in connection with Delemo’s death is being withheld.
Detectives charged the Syosset teen with second-degree murder, and prosecutors later told the court that the defendant is an accomplished wrestler trained in martial arts. During the hearing, prosecutors alleged the teen pulled a knife and stabbed Delemo several times, causing lacerations to multiple organs that led to his death. The case was first reported publicly by outlets including ABC News and NBC New York.
Arraignment & Charges
The teen was arraigned on November 10 in Central Islip. A judge ordered that he be held without bail. Prosecutors indicated the defendant is being charged as a juvenile, though he faces 25 years to life in prison if convicted of second-degree murder. The court’s no-bail decision came after prosecutors characterized the incident as a deadly escalation following a disturbance at the party.
Authorities have not released additional information about the specific events that preceded the stabbing. Police did confirm that the investigation is ongoing and that witness accounts continue to be gathered. As with most cases involving minors, officials are guarding certain details while proceedings move forward.
Witness Accounts & Defense Response
Attendees have described the party as tense even before the fight. Prosecutors said the defendant and two friends from Syosset arrived uninvited. Once at the gathering, West Babylon students, including Delemo, allegedly told them to leave.
“They weren’t supposed to be there and he saw them they were making a bit of a disturbance in the backyard,” said attendee Andrew Lombardi, recounting the scene from November 3. “They were throwing bottles and being rude.” According to prosecutors, that confrontation escalated quickly, culminating in the stabbing.
The defense, however, pushed back on the prosecution’s narrative. The teen’s attorney, Jacob Kaplan, denied the charges and argued that his client is not a flight risk. Kaplan also claimed that there were multiple altercations occurring at the party, asserting that various attendees were being pushed and physically attacked amid the chaos.
While the courtroom arguments painted conflicting pictures of the night’s events, both sides agreed that the incident devolved rapidly. With many minors present and accounts still being collected, the legal process will likely hinge on additional witness testimony and forensic findings in the weeks ahead.
Community Mourns Liam Delemo
Friends and family have remembered Delemo as a devoted friend and a “good kid,” reflecting on a teenager whose life ended just as it was beginning. “He loved all of his friends,” said his father, Michael Delemo. “You know, he would do anything for them.” His mother, Hope Delemo, echoed that sentiment, saying her son “is definitely going to be missed by everybody.”
The tragedy has drawn attention to the dangers of teen gatherings that spiral out of control, and the devastating impact of sudden violence in a community. While the legal case proceeds, the focus for many remains on supporting Delemo’s family and peers as they grieve.
For now, the Suffolk County Police Department is urging anyone with information about the party or the events leading up to the stabbing to come forward. As investigators continue to review statements and physical evidence, more details are expected to emerge that could clarify how a night meant for socializing turned deadly.
The case underscores how swiftly a confrontation can escalate, even in a crowded outdoor setting where dozens of witnesses are present. With the suspect in custody and no bail granted, the case will move through the juvenile justice system, where proceedings often balance accountability with the considerations that accompany a defendant’s age.
As the investigation continues, the Long Island community is left reconciling a senseless loss and awaiting answers. Any further developments will likely arrive through court filings or additional police updates.
