( CNN ) -- A 12-year-old California boy accused of fatally stabbing his 8-year-old sister had been suspended from his middle school this year after being accused of bringing a small pocketknife there , according to a fellow student and a school administration source . Police announced Saturday that the boy had been arrested on a homicide charge in the late April stabbing death of his sister , Leila Fowler , at their northern California home . Before Leila 's death , the boy 's middle school in Valley Springs suspended him for five days after he brought a small pocketknife to school , according to one of the boy 's classmates . That account was backed up by a school administration source . Authorities have n't revealed what kind of knife was used in Leila 's death , which happened April 27 inside the family home in Valley Springs . The death of Leila , known for her bubbly personality , shook the small town of Valley Springs , where ribbons in her favorite color of purple were tied to stop signs . Leila 's brother had told police that he 'd seen an intruder leaving the home . But Saturday , police announced that the boy had been arrested .
Police say California boy , 12 , arrested on suspicion of fatally stabbing sister Leila Fowler , 8 . Boy was suspended this year for bringing small pocketknife to school , two sources say . Authorities have n't said what kind of knife was used in girl 's death .