Boy, 14, fatally stabbed trying to protect girlfriend from two ski mask-clad teens in mall: authorities

Bobby Maher, 14, was fatally knifed while he was allegedly trying to protect his girlfriend from two balaclava-clad teens.

A tragic incident unfolded at a shopping mall in Casper, Wyoming, where a 14-year-old boy named Bobby Maher lost his life while trying to protect his girlfriend from two balaclava-clad teens.

Maher was fatally stabbed with a kitchen knife after confronting the two 15-year-old boys, identified as Jarreth Plunkett and Dominique Harris, who were allegedly harassing his middle school sweetheart at the Eastridge Mall on Sunday afternoon.

Upon arriving at the mall in response to his girlfriend's distress call, Maher attempted to guide her and her friend to safety while repeatedly asking the two suspects to leave, as detailed in the criminal complaint.

Surveillance footage reportedly showed Maher backing away from the assailants, wearing hooded balaclava-style masks, while Plunkett repeatedly provoked him to fight.

Harris then lifted Maher and slammed him to the ground, followed by multiple punches to his face. Shortly after, Plunkett allegedly stabbed Maher with a "kitchen-style knife."

The fatal knifing unfolded at the Eastridge Mall in Casper on Sunday afternoon, cops said.

The suspects fled the scene, abandoning the weapon and masks in the parking lot, but were apprehended shortly after. They admitted to stealing the knife from a Target inside the mall and claimed that Maher had insulted them.

According to a friend of the victim, the suspects attended the same middle school as Maher, known to them as "JJ and Dom," and there had been a prior encounter between them at a park.

Maher had rushed to the mall after his girlfriend had called to say the two suspects were following her.

Plunkett faces charges of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, aggravated assault and battery, and theft, while Harris is charged with conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, aggravated assault and battery, and misdemeanor theft.

Both suspects were charged as adults and had their bonds set at $500,000 and $450,000, respectively, during an initial court hearing on Monday.