Web, Texting Bring Uninvited To Parties

Feb. 13 - KGO (KGO) -- The search for a teenager who crashed a high school party and murdered another kid continues in the East Bay. The lesson for all of us with teenagers is to realize the power of technology they have at their disposal. A house party got totally out of control Friday when word of it spread like wildfire over the internet.

With so many uninvited guests, students can't identify the killer. It was supposed to be a small party for Albany High students only.

If you're leaving town with your teenagers home alone, listen up -- because news of a party at your home can spread like wildfire these days, thanks to text messaging and a website called MySpace.com.

By Monday morning, students at Albany High say they're already hunting for the next electronic hook-up.

Name withheld, student: "Like, oh, I got this text from Janet. She told me we can go to this real cool party, and they get really excited."

Deborah Godner, a Berkeley High teacher, says it's frustrating. Students communicate during class.

Deborah Godner, Berkeley high school teacher: "Kids are often just text messaging, under their books and their laps."

Name withheld, student: "MySpace is the number one connection. That's how that party had so many people in it, because the girl had put it on MySpace."

The party the Albany High School student is talking about is the one this past weekend in Berkeley. The hosts' parents were out of town, and the party got out of hand. Four people were stabbed. One of them was 18-year-old Juan Ramos of El Cerrito, who died at the hospital.

Shelby Chamberlain, Albany High School junior: "A lot of people. A lot of people."

Shelby Chamberlain says the party was intended for about 40 Albany High students, but more than 100 people showed up -- most uninvited. They found out about it from the internet, text messages -- you name it.

Shelby Chamberlain, Albany High School junior: "They just take things. Because it's so crowded, you can't pay attention to every single thing going on in your house."

Students say it's as easy as going to MySpace.com, clicking on the events link, putting in your zip code, and finding a party to attend.

Scott McFadden, parent: "If you take MySpace out of the equation, even with cell phones it's an exponential growth."

There were plenty of witnesses at the party, but police say so far, they haven't been able to find anybody who knew the killer.

We're told some teens are commenting online about the murder, threatening others not to talk to the media. But they could be unintentionally, leading investigators closer to the killer.

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