BROOKINGS – Brookings County State’s Attorney Dan Nelson said Thursday that his office has filed delinquent charges of aggravated assault and first-degree manslaughter against a 15-year-old boy who was allegedly involved in a fatal stabbing Saturday evening south of Brookings.

The victim in the case was identified as 37-year-old Justin Proctor of Brookings, and he and the suspect are related.

The juvenile has been detained and will make his first court appearance on Tuesday in juvenile court, which is closed to the public.

The following is a press release issued by Nelson Thursday afternoon:

“On Oct. 2, a delinquent petition was filed against a 15-year-old juvenile male for aggravated assault and first-degree manslaughter. These allegations stem from an incident that took place on Saturday, Sept. 28, at a residence just outside the city limits of Brookings.

“Law enforcement received a 911 call indicating that Justin Proctor, 37, had been stabbed during an altercation with the juvenile. When law enforcement arrived at the residence, they found Proctor sitting inside the vehicle and was going in and out of consciousness. Emergency medical treatment was administered and he was airlifted to a Sioux Falls hospital, where surgery was performed. Unable to stabilize Proctor’s injuries, he died at approximately 4 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 29. An autopsy was performed Monday, Sept. 30. The autopsy concluded that a stab wound was on the lower left side of Proctor’s abdomen and that he died as a result of the stab wound.

“Later on Sunday and into Monday, law enforcement continued investigating and gathered additional eyewitness testimony. Based on that information, law enforcement learned that the juvenile intended to cause bodily injury to the victim using a dangerous weapon and as a result of that act, Proctor died. The investigation indicates the juvenile and Proctor are related.

“The State’s Attorney Office filed delinquent charges for aggravated assault and first-degree manslaughter. The juvenile was taken into custody and has been detained. He’ll appear in juvenile court on Tuesday morning, Oct. 8, on those delinquent charges.

“The delinquent petition is just an allegation. The juvenile is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The punishment in juvenile court for these charges is that he could be committed to the Department of Corrections.

“The State could also transfer the matter to adult court. The Court decides whether that transfer is appropriate and separate hearing is held in juvenile court. Due to the juvenile’s age, the State is prohibited by law from filing adult criminal charges. The juvenile hearings on this case will be closed to the public.”