Vigil planned tonight for 12-year-old found dead Monday; police expected to announce results of investigation at Wednesday press conference

Tuesday, October 25, 2011 - 2:12 pm

Forensic teams collect evidence outside apartment building. A bent screen is visible on the second floor.

Updated 7 p.m. Oct. 25

POTSDAM -- A candlelight vigil is scheduled to take place tonight at 8 pm in front of A. A. Kingston Middle School to show community support for the family of 12-year-old Garret Philips, who was found dead Monday.

Organizers say the vigil is not a school-sponsored function; rather they say it is "a show of support for those who are working hard to bring closure and healing to this tragedy." The event is expected to last until 9:30 p.m., according to the Facebook page set up in Phillip's memory.

Meanwhile, the Potsdam Village Police Department has announced another press conference has been scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday to discuss what investigators have discovered about the death of Phillips.

The conference will be held in the Village of Potsdam board room.

By CRAIG FREILICH and MAUREEN PICHÉ

POTSDAM – State police forensic investigators were busy collecting evidence today from inside and outside the 100 Market St. apartment where 12-year-old Garret Phillips was mortally injured Monday afternoon.

Police say they are trying to determine how the sixth-grader died.Phillips

No one is in custody for the death of the boy, and if there are any suspects, Potsdam Police Chief Ed Tischler would not say when he met with the press this morning.

A.A. Kingston Middle School Principal Jamie Cruikshank acted quickly Monday night by issuing an email to parents of school-aged children at 9:26 p.m., informing them of Garret’s death and letting them know the school was prepared to handle grieving, confused students when they arrived this morning.

“Potsdam Central has a Crisis Intervention Team made up of professionals trained to help with the needs of students, parents, and school personnel at difficult times such as this,” Cruikshank wrote. “We have counselors available for any student who may need or want help or any type of assistance surrounding this loss. We encourage you, as parents, to also feel free to use our resources.”

In a second email sent out at 9:43 a.m. this morning, Cruikshank said staff was providing middle school students with “activities to help them with this news.” He also said the Crisis Team was collaborating with grief counselor Mary Jones of Hospice.

Cruikshank asked parents to help the school and police “limit the amount of rumor circulating as this could be detrimental to students hearing these untruths.”

The alleged crime scene is cordoned off with yellow tape at a back left apartment in the large red brick building at North Country Manor apartments, 100 Market St. A crowd of vehicles had gathered earlier today in front of the building on Market Street.

The forensics team, wearing surgical masks, was collecting evidence from the roof above a first-floor doorway at the back of the house, while a long police ladder led up to a second-floor window with a screen that was bent outward, ripped from the frame. More officers in white jumpsuits were placing items in bags in the second-floor room.

Meanwhile, as news of the boy’s death spread, a steady stream of vehicles traveled slowly past the building as passengers tried to view the scene.

“We are trying to determine the cause of death,” Chief Tischler said at this morning’s press conference.

“We are interviewing friends, interviewing anyone” who might shed some light on the case, Tischler said.

Other than that, little information on the crime came out at the press conference. Tischler answered few questions.

Several State Police vehicles were in the parking lot at the police station. As reporters waited to hear from Chief Tischler, people were streaming in and out of the station.

Potsdam Schools Superintendent Patrick Brady, looking drawn, was seen leaving the station.

Uniformed troopers and some who were thought to be senior people from State Police Troop B headquarters in Ray Brook were in and out of the building.

Tischler and Duvé meet with the press.Just before Chief Tischler met reporters in the lobby of the station, District Attorney Nicole Duvé entered the station, went inside, and reappeared with the chief a few minutes later.

Chief Tischler said the call reporting the incident came into the station at 5:10 p.m. Monday.

The Potsdam Police were helped at the scene yesterday by the St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office. They are being assisted by State Police and the DA’s office.

Tischler said his thoughts are with the family and friends of Garret Phillips.

A Facebook tribute page has been established for those who wish to leave condolences.View the Facebook page

  This tragedy was heart-wrenching for me to hear about and my thoughts and prayers go out to the friends and family of Garret Phillips may he rest in peace. - Dana Woods

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