The father of a 9-year-old boy stabbed to death in his Discovery Bay Home spoke publicly for the first time on Thursday, saying his home would remain open to guests.
"Jordy was enormously friendly, happy and welcoming," John Almgren said. "He considered friends his extended family. In Jordy's memory, we will continue to offer our home to our friends and to our children's friends as Jordy would want us to do."
Almgren made those remarks in the context of what happened to his son, Jordon "Jordy" Almgren in his bedroom early Sunday morning. Family friend William "Billy" Shultz, who had slept over on Saturday night, was arrested on murder charges for stabbing Jordy to death some time before 10 a.m., when the boy's body was discovered.
Shultz, a friend of Jordy's older brother, had a history of mental illness, his parents and the Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office said, though Almgren said his family knew nothing about that.
Mental illness played an unquestionable role in the stabbing death and Shultz's family had sought help for their son for "weeks and months" before the attack, Shultz's defense attorney, Robin Lipetzky said on Wednesday after his court appearance.
"The family tried desperately to get help for their son, who was exhibiting symptoms and signs of mental health illness," Lipetzky said.
Shultz did not enter a plea. He was scheduled back in court on May 22.
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Almgren's wife and older son did not attend the news gathering outside his home on Thursday. But his family did set up a website of photos and memories in honor of his son, who loved Little League and was described as a "brilliant, talented boy."
A public service for Jordy will be held on May 8 at the Golden Hills Community Church in Brentwood.
Bay City News contributed to this report.
