Buffalo detectives have arrested a suspect in the beating death of 15-year-old Sudanese refugee Kowat Rual, whose body was found at the edge of a canoe launch June 9.

Julian L. Christopher, 21, of Zelmer Street, was arrested Thursday morning and confessed to Kowat’s killing, police said in a news conference Friday. Christopher has been charged with second-degree murder.

“It was a vicious beating,” said Deputy Police Commissioner Daniel Derenda. “(Kowat’s) body was dumped at the site overnight. He was an innocent victim.”

Kowat, 15, was found at 11:45 a. m. at the edge of the Buffalo River near Ohio and South streets, in the city’s Old First Ward. The body was discovered by a passer-by, who then notified police.

Kowat came to Buffalo at age 7, fleeing violence in Sudan with his mother and four brothers after his father became a hunted man for being a Christian.

He was described as a sweet, innocent kid, always trying to please others, trying to make his way in a new world, a new culture. Then in his teens, he became smitten by life on the streets, apparently to make friends and be accepted in his new land.

He died less than a month before his 16th birthday.

Christopher and Kowat knew each other, at least for a few months, Derenda said. Kowat started skipping school and had been missing for two weeks before police found him.

Derenda said his family never reported him missing, as they say it was “not uncommon” for him to be gone for that period of time.

Derenda said Kowat was beaten in one location and then taken to the Buffalo River site, but police would not reveal where the attack took place.

“We know where it happened, and it’s not the same location,” Derenda said. “Also, we don’t believe that a weapon was used.”

The confrontation, Derenda said, is believed to have been sparked by a minor theft.

Detectives had two “persons of interest” in the case: Christopher and a witness. Derenda and Mayor Byron W. Brown said the witness called the department’s confidential tip line Thursday and helped police find Christopher.

“What this arrest shows is that the Buffalo Police Department never stops looking for the people who are responsible for crimes,” Brown said, as he urged more residents to take advantage of the tip line to help police.

The investigation into Kowat’s killing was led by Sgt. Jonathan Walton and Detectives Patrick Judge, Anthony Borelli and Mario Pratts. Police said detectives have solved 15 of Buffalo’s 23 homicides this year.

Christopher already was known to police. In 2006, he fled on a bicycle when an officer attempted to question him because he fit the description of a 911 call reporting a man with a gun. The officer drew his gun and ordered Christopher to lie on the ground. Police said he was carrying a loaded gun that he allegedly tossed into a rear yard on Koons Avenue. He was charged with criminal possession of a weapon.

Christopher also has made court appearances on misdemeanor charges, including one for possession of marijuana and multiple counts of disorderly conduct.