An iPhone was allegedly the motive behind the killing of 15-year-old Opratim in Cumilla, Superintendent of Police Md Anisuzzaman said at a press briefing on Sunday.
Police have arrested Saiful Islam Tuhin, 19, and two other boys aged 15 in connection with the incident. Another youth, Md Siam, 19, has been detained, and his involvement is being verified, the SP said.
According to police, the incident occurred between 5:00pm and 6:00pm on Friday in the Sananda area of Cumilla when the suspects allegedly attempted to snatch an iPhone from Opratim.
A scuffle reportedly broke out during the incident. Tuhin allegedly struck Opratim on the head with a stick, while the two teenage suspects allegedly assaulted him with sticks.
After confirming that Opratim had died, Tuhin allegedly took the phone and left the scene with the two teenagers, police said.
Police identified Tuhin from CCTV footage and detained him. During questioning, he allegedly confessed to the killing and implicated the two other suspects, according to the SP.
Asked about the suspects' possible links to a teenage gang, Anisuzzaman said investigators had found an “age-disparate friendship” between Opratim and the accused.
“None of the accused was Opratim's classmate,” the SP said, adding that the suspects were either school dropouts or irregular students at different educational institutions.
Police are continuing their investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the killing and determine the involvement of those detained.
