Attorney General to appropriate charges in deadly Wilmington school fight

WILMINGTON, Del. (AP/WTXF) -- Wilmington Police have turned over all evidence to the Attorney General's office following a school fight that left a student dead.

The victim was 16-year old Amy Francis-Joyner. Police say she was beaten in the bathroom and died at the hospital. Fellow students and the community are still stunned.

Police said in a statement that officers were called to Howard High School of Technology around 8:20 a.m. April 21 and they are investigating a serious assault that took place in the bathroom.

Sgt. Andrea Janvier said by telephone that the assault took place on school grounds around the time when students arrive for the day.

Janvier says the girl was flown to A.I. DuPont Children's Hospital in critical condition, and was pronounced dead a short time later.

"I think this is a dream and I'm trying to wake up," father Sonny Francis.

Sonny Francis is a heartbroken father who is speaking out about the death of his daughter, Amy.

"All I know is my daughter is gone. She was the love of my life and it hurts," he explained.

Francis says his daughter was a great student and a loving teenager who was into fashion and was very close with her family, especially her mother who dropped her off at school this morning not knowing she would never see Amy again. Francis said there was no indication that anything bad was going on in her life. This tragedy comes with many questions.

READ MORE: Day after death of Del. student, classmates, staff speak out

"I thought schools were a safe place. You drop your kids off and would come home after school apparently that's not the case with some schools now children are just out of control," he said.

Police said they were interviewing several students about the deadly beating and have not revealed any details about a possible motive. Francis says he's cooperating with police and can't comment on the

investigation itself except to say this should not have happened.

Wilmington's Mayor released the following statement following the incident:

"We are all deeply saddened by this tragedy, and my heartfelt sympathy goes out to the young girl's family and friends as they grieve this terrible loss. Howard High School of Technology has a rich history in the City of Wilmington, and in this time of great tragedy, it is critical that we embrace the students, parents, faculty, and the entire Howard community. Our entire city is shaken by the loss of this child's life, but in this moment we should all come together to work collectively to address the serious needs of our youth. As a community, I know that our strength comes from the commitment that we all have to support our children. Now, more than ever, is the time that we must demonstrate that commitment."

There is no word on when the Attorney General will appropriate charges.