In a senseless act of violence that has shattered the Fort Worth community, 15-year-old Jacob De La Rosa was fatally stabbed outside Polytechnic High School on Friday afternoon, October 3, 2025, just days after his family reported escalating threats from a group of teens. The attack, which also left Jacob’s father, Albert De La Rosa, critically injured, has ignited outrage over the school’s and authorities’ failure to respond to prior warnings, prompting calls for immediate accountability and reform in student safety protocols. As Jacob’s mother, Janeth De La Rosa, fights through unimaginable grief, the incident underscores the deadly consequences of ignored red flags in an already strained education system grappling with youth violence.

The horror unfolded around 3:45 p.m. near the 2700 block of East Rosedale Street, directly across from Polytechnic High School in Fort Worth ISD. According to police reports, Jacob and his older brother were walking home from school when they were confronted by a group of four to five teens, believed to be students from a rival school. Tensions had been brewing for days: Janeth De La Rosa told investigators she had reported multiple threats to the school administration, including a specific warning from one of the suspects about “jumping” her sons after classes. “They said they were coming for them—I begged the school to do something,” Janeth recounted in a tearful interview with FOX 4 Dallas-Fort Worth on October 4. Despite her pleas, no additional security measures were implemented, and police were not called to the campus that day.

As the confrontation escalated at a nearby gas station, Albert De La Rosa arrived in his truck to pick up his sons. Witnesses described a chaotic scene: the group surrounded the vehicle, shouting threats and throwing punches. Albert exited the truck to de-escalate, but one of the teens allegedly stabbed him in the spleen. Jacob, seeing his father attacked, jumped out to defend him—a courageous act that turned fatal. “He got off the truck to help his dad, and one of the boys punched him,” Janeth said, her voice breaking. “Then that boy pulled out a knife and stabbed him in the stomach and the heart.” Jacob collapsed, bleeding profusely, as his brother held him, whispering reassurances. In his final moments, Jacob reportedly turned to his brother and said, “I’m dying,” before succumbing in his arms en route to John Peter Smith Hospital. He was pronounced dead at 4 p.m., the Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed.

Albert, unaware he had been stabbed amid the frenzy, drove the boys to the hospital despite his own severe injuries. “On the way there, they even crashed, but he kept going because Jacob was bleeding out,” Janeth shared, highlighting the father’s desperate heroism. Albert underwent hours of surgery and is now stable but faces a long recovery. The older brother, who witnessed the entire ordeal, remains traumatized, unable to erase the image of Jacob “turning blue” in his arms.

Fort Worth Police arrived at the scene shortly after, but the suspects had fled. Investigators quickly located a juvenile suspect, who admitted to “cutting someone” in self-defense during a physical fight, according to a police news release. The teen, believed to be a classmate or acquaintance, faces potential charges including murder, though the self-defense claim complicates prosecution. Three other juveniles are persons of interest, with detectives piecing together witness statements and surveillance footage from nearby businesses. Janeth believes the attack stemmed from ongoing bullying tied to her older sons, including rumors of a “jump” at school that day. “My kids will never forget this—the image of his brother bleeding out,” she said, vowing to pursue justice relentlessly.

The De La Rosa family, immigrants from Mexico who built a life in Fort Worth through hard work, describes Jacob as a “sweetest child anybody can have”—a quiet, kind-hearted boy who loved soccer, video games, and helping his siblings. “He always took care of his family,” Janeth added, clutching a photo of Jacob smiling at a recent birthday party. A GoFundMe has raised over $50,000 in 48 hours for medical bills and funeral costs, with donors praising Jacob’s “bravery beyond his years.”

Fort Worth ISD issued a statement expressing devastation: “The loss of Jacob De La Rosa will be felt deeply; he was a valued member of our Polytechnic High School community.” Yet the district faces scrutiny for inaction. Janeth claims she contacted school officials multiple times about the threats, but no measures—like increased patrols or counseling—were taken. Advocates from the Texas Education Association are demanding an independent review, highlighting systemic failures in threat reporting. “This is preventable violence,” said community activist Maria Gonzalez. “Schools must act on warnings, not wait for tragedy.”

The incident has rocked Polytechnic High School, where grief counselors were on site Monday, October 6. Students walked out in protest, chanting “Justice for Jacob” and holding signs reading “No More Silence.” Mayor Mattie Parker called it “a heartbreaking reminder of the violence plaguing our youth,” pledging city resources for the investigation. As the weekend’s violence tally climbed to 10 dead across the metroplex, including three homicides in Fort Worth alone, calls for reform grow louder.

Jacob’s story, marked by selfless bravery and a love that outshone his years, demands more than condolences—it cries for change. His family, shattered but united, vows to honor him by fighting for safer schools. “He died protecting us,” Janeth said. “We’ll live fighting for him.” As the probe deepens, Fort Worth holds its breath, hoping Jacob’s light pierces the darkness that claimed him too soon.