A June 6 stabbing that claimed the life of a 15-year-old boy has been ruled a justified act of self-defense, and no criminal charges will be filed, according to Berks County District Attorney John T. Adams.
Reading Police were dispatched around 7 p.m. to the intersection of 10th and Buttonwood streets for a reported stabbing. Officers arrived to find two individuals injured. Both were transported to Reading Hospital, where one of the victims, identified as 15-year-old Kayden Beauville, was later pronounced dead. The second victim survived.
An extensive investigation was conducted by Reading Police, which included interviews with numerous individuals and a review of surveillance footage from nearby locations, including 10th and Green Elementary School, Southern Middle School, 10th and Penn Elementary School, and local businesses.
According to authorities, the person responsible for the stabbing came to City Hall with his mother and was interviewed by police. Investigators determined that the stabbing occurred during a physical altercation involving Beauville and others, who had reportedly chased the perpetrator shortly before the incident.
During the confrontation, the individual used a knife to stab Beauville, resulting in a fatal injury. Another person sustained a non-fatal stab wound. The District Attorney’s Office concluded that the use of deadly force was legally justified in self-defense.
“Based upon a thorough investigation performed by the Reading Police Department, the District Attorney has ruled that the use of deadly force was justified and charges will not be filed against the perpetrator for the incident that occurred on June 6, 2025, in the area of 10th and Buttonwood Street,” the press release stated.
Officials also emphasized that any acts of retaliatory violence will not be tolerated.