Update: Walled Lake Western High 'Deeply Saddened' Over Death of Student, 17

Johnathan Rickman was a friendly, popular student who worked to prevent violence at Walled Lake Western High School. On Monday, Western High was "deeply saddened" to hear that the 17-year-old junior whose over the weekend.

"We're working with grief counselors, social workers, and psychologists on hand to students cope with the tragic situation," said principal Joseph Bell. "It's a tough thing to deal with."

Rickman was "well-liked and had a good sense of humor," according to Bell, who added that Rickman had played on the Western High freshman basketball team and continued to enjoy playing basketball with his friends. The son of prominent businessman Roderick Rickman had also approached Bell to discuss non-violent solutions to problems at Western High as he had independently come about them.

"He got along with all kinds of kids, and so when he'd heard students exchange words in the hallway, he approached me to discuss passive resistance," Bell said. "He'd be a leader."

According to West Bloomfield Police Lt. Tim Diamond, a small gathering of teenagers at a home in the 7300 block of Rafford led to a fight out on to the street where Rickman was stabbed once with a kitchen knife. Diamond said that a friend drove Rickman to and Rickman was still living upon arrival, but could not be saved.

While students tried to figure out what to do next, the 15-year-old accused waited if and where he would be charged with the crime. The Walled Lake Central student and Walled Lake resident could be charged by the Oakland County Prosecutor's Office as an adult, according to Diamond, or he could be tried in Juvenile Court. Either way, Diamond said, the arraignment is expected to occur Monday afternoon.

After police arrived at the hospital, they then went back to the Rafford house and arrested the suspect. He is being held at Oakland County Children’s Village.

Funeral arrangements for Rickman are scheduled Visitation will be noon-9 p.m. Friday at the Heeney-Sundquist Funeral Home, 23720 Farmington Rd., in Farmington. His funeral service will be 11 a.m.  Saturday in St. John’s Episcopal Church, 50 East Fisher Fwy., Detroit.

Interment will be in Westlawn Cemetery, Merriman Road and Michigan Avenue in Wayne. Memorial tributes suggested to a scholarship fund in Rickman’s memory at Chase Bank.