'TikTok like' dispute ends in bloodshed

According to allegations, on June 26 at Ali Kuşçu Park, 16-year-old I.O. began chasing 11th-grade student Erencan Alparslan (17) with a knife, claiming that Alparslan had "liked" his girlfriend's post. It was learned that I.O. stabbed Erencan twice after he fell during the chase. Seriously injured, Erencan Alparslan received initial medical intervention from emergency teams called to the scene by bystanders and was rushed to the hospital by ambulance.

It was reported that the teenager underwent surgery and had his spleen removed. The suspect, I.O., was detained by police teams and subsequently sent to prison by judicial authorities after his processing at the police station. Alparslan's condition, currently being treated in the intensive care unit at Kocaeli City Hospital, is reportedly showing signs of improvement. It was also learned that Erencan had celebrated his birthday on June 19 and was due to receive his report card the day after the incident.

"My son ran away when he saw the knife, but he fell"

The family, waiting for good news about their son at the hospital, expressed their reaction to the events. Father Ersin Alparslan stated that his son had taken time off from his workplace to pick up his report card, saying, "The incident was about a girl. My son had sent a 'like' or a message to a child's girlfriend on TikTok. That is all there is to it. My son was supposed to get his report card on Saturday. Erencan had taken permission from his master for Thursday to get his report card. I didn't even know. I sent my child off thinking he went to work on Friday morning, but he never went to work that day. I don't know if the individual called my son or if they just ran into each other. My son ran away when he saw the knife, but when he fell, the individual stabbed my son under his heart. Erencan has been in the intensive care unit since Friday. His spleen has been removed."

"My child had dreams"

Ersin Alparslan concluded his words as follows:

"The suspect is also 16 years old. At first, we thought he was not under arrest, but we were contacted by the relevant authorities. He is currently in the Ankara Sincan Closed Prison. My child had dreams. He wanted to be a soldier like his uncle. Maybe he won't be able to run or ride a bike. In the end, he lost an organ. His lung and diaphragm were also damaged, and they couldn't save his spleen."

"According to my son, the suspect got aggressive"

Mother Serpil Alparslan said, "My son has been in intensive care for 4 days. The doctors say his condition is improving, thank God. God has gifted our child back to us. It could have been worse. We want justice. My son only sent a 'like'. My son told his friend, 'Take care of this girl.' Then, whatever happened, according to my son, the suspect got aggressive. Everyone should look after their children. I monitor my child down to his very breath. Do not leave your children unattended. We are in difficult times. We don't know where harm will come from," she said.

"My son ended up like this because he sent a 'like'"

Demanding that justice be served, Serpil Alparslan wept, saying, "I want justice. Let the suspect be given the harshest punishment. It could have ended worse; my son could have died. Last week was Erencan's birthday. After this incident, my son was practically born again. God gifted him back to us. I have 4 children, but Erencan is the apple of my eye. We are waiting for my son to be moved to the ward. My son ended up like this because he sent a 'like'. He only warned his friend to 'take care of the girl.' My son was going to get his report card on Saturday."