The teenager allegedly stabbed to death by his brother in their Minnetonka home has been identified as a junior at Hopkins High School, the principal said Wednesday in a note to students' families.

Doug Bullinger said he has been in touch with the family of Sebastian Harris, 16, about what he called a "tragic event that has torn a family apart."

Harris was stabbed in the chest by his brother Saturday night with a kitchen knife at the apartment in the 11300 block of Fairfield Road, according to charges filed in Hennepin County juvenile court.

Because of the suspect's young age, authorities could not disclose what charge or charges were filed.

The Medical Examiner's Office said Sebastian died of sharp-force injuries as the result of a homicide. "We know there was some sort of an altercation between the two boys," Minnetonka Police Chief Scott Boerboom said at a news conference Sunday.

"The mother and other family members were home at the time of the incident," a police statement read. "Police are working with the family to determine the circumstances that led to the stabbing."

The 12-year-old was not injured but was taken to a hospital for evaluation and has since been detained.

Police said they had never responded to the family's address before.

"Sebastian always stood up for the underdog and did what he thought was right," the organizer of a support fundraiser wrote online.

Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482