Utica police have provided new details about the murder of a 17-year-old girl.
According to Utica Police, officers were called to a dead-end road on Poe Street around 7:30 a.m. Sunday. Police say 17-year-old Bianca Devins was allegedly killed by 21-year-old Brandon Andrew Clark with a knife.
When police arrived on the scene, Clark began harming himself before being stopped by police. He was taken to the hospital to undergo treatment.
"The male had to be extracted from the area and transported to the hospital because of his injuries," officials said. "Police had to establish a crime scene, and make sure the area was safe to continue the race. Once that was established, the race was allowed to stay."
The race is referring to the Boilermaker Road Race in Utica on Sunday. The homicide occurred a few blocks away from where the race took place.
Utica police said that Devins and Clark were in a relationship. There is no clear motive, but police say the couple attended a concert in New York City over the weekend and believe something happened between them while they were down there.
They returned to Central New York before the crime took place. Graphic photos of the crime were posted online by the suspect before law enforcement arrived on scene.
“Speaking with the family, the relationship was about 3 months old,” said Utica Police Lt. Bryan Coromato. “The family was familiar with the suspect in this case.”
Clark has been charged with second-degree murder. He was arraigned and is currently in custody at the Oneida County Jail.
Devins graduated from T.R. Proctor High School this past June and was set to attend Mohawk Valley Community College in the fall.
“We are very grateful for the outpouring of love and sympathy we have received from our Friends, Family, Bianca’s Friends and the whole community,” said the family of Bianca Devins in a statement released Monday. “Your prayers help to strengthen us through this difficult time. Bianca, age 17, was a talented artist, a loving sister, daughter, and cousin, and a wonderful young girl, taken from us all too soon. She is now looking down on us, as she joins her cat, Belle, in heaven. Bianca’s smile brightened our lives. She will always be remembered as our Princess.”
Bianca's family has set up a scholarship fund in her name, which is in the care of the Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties.