SAN JOSE, Calif. -- South Bay police continued to investigate the fatal stabbing of a 15-year-old boy outside his home in San Jose Tuesday night that took place while hundreds of local residents attended a community meeting to address gang violence.

Police came to the house on Comanche Drive Tuesday night shortly after 8:30 p.m. responding to a 911 call reporting a person -- a 15-year-old boy --had been stabbed at his home and appeared to be dead.

According to friends, the boy was home alone with the family dog because his parents were out shopping.

The teen had suffered multiple stab wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police were not saying exactly where the body was found nor if the murder weapon has been recovered. Authorities told KTVU they have released very few details because they don't want to taint the investigation.

The crime was the city's 25th homicide of 2009. So far, no one has been arrested.

The fatal incident happened while hundreds of San Jose residents gathered at Lee Mathson Middle School to learn about the Halloween night gang attack against two students and to discuss solutions to the citywide issue of gang violence.

A 12-year-old boy who attends the school was shot in the head and remains in critical condition. His 13-year-old friend who was stabbed is recovering at home. Both were attacked shortly before 10 p.m. on Oct. 31 in a parking lot at 2001 Story Road while they were trick-or-treating.

Police believe the attack was gang-related but said there is no indication the victims had any gang involvement.

Four teens have been arrested for the attack.

The suspects are Eduardo Cristobal aka "Pelon," 18, of Milpitas; Erik Diaz, 16; Hugo Torres aka "Sharky," 15; and Diego Gutierrez aka "Boogie," 16, all residents of San Jose.

Police said all four are believed to be members of the Sureno gang. The three juveniles are being charged as adults. All four face two counts of attempted murder and are scheduled to enter pleas on Thursday in Santa Clara County Superior Court.

Investigators conducted a search of the home where the stabbing took place through the night and remained at the location of the crime Wednesday.

KTVU has been told the name by family friends and obtained a picture of the teen victim, but has chosen not to broadcast either one until authorities release his identity.

But people who knew the teen have found out about the slaying.

A very distraught young man who planned to spend the Veteran's Day holiday with the victim said he talked with his friend just hours before his body was discovered.

"He just sounded like he normally did,” said the friend through tears. “He was like 'Hey, what's going on?'"

Wednesday night, well-wishers brought flowers to the boy's home to offer their condolences.

Others who knew the teenager said they were trying to make sense of what happened.

“I don't understand who in their right mind would actually do something like that,” said Adam Kane, a student at Santa Theresa High School where the 15-year-old victim was a sophomore.

Students told KTVU that news of the boy's death spread quickly through text messaging. Some said that during football practice for both the varsity and junior varsity teams, their coach spoke with them about the death of their schoolmate.

“All we can do is send our condolences to the family,” said Adam Kane. “It's just hard.”

Police said investigators don't believe the attack is gang related, but wouldn't explain why. Officers asked the public for help in the case.

“We're looking to see if anyone has any additional information,” said San Jose Police spokesman Jermaine Thomas. “If anyone in the neighborhood saw anything or even heard anything or some type of fight going on."

Local councilman Ash Kalra, who was contacted by police shortly after the incident, said the absence of a gang connection will provide some relief to the neighborhood.

"I think it's critical at this time that we really make sure the community needs are met, starting with the family of the victim,” said Kalra. “And then to make sure that the folks in the neighborhood understand what happened so that they know their neighborhood is a safe neighborhood."

Residents who live in the area were surprised to hear of the violent incident.

"Yeah, I was pretty shocked actually, ‘cause we grew up here,” said a local who identified himself only as Steve. “It's a quiet neighborhood. Everyone pretty much knows each other."

San Jose police said they don't believe people here need to worry about a killer on the loose, though authorities have not explained publicly why.

The victim's family moved into the neighborhood just a couple of months ago, so it's possible the investigation has also spread to other areas of San Jose. Police declined to comment on that.