On February 14, 2025, David S. Gutierrez, a young 15-year-old boy, was mercilessly attacked by a group of juvenile gang members at Santana Row while celebrating Valentine's Day with his girlfriend. This cruel act led to David being beaten and tragically stabbed. Despite putting up a brave fight, David succumbed to his injuries prior to receiving life-saving surgery.

As individuals who value justice, we find it distressing that the assailant responsible for inflicting the fatal wound on David is only expected to serve a brief sentence of 6-8 months. This is a gross miscarriage of justice that makes light of a horrific, life-ending act perpetrated by those who showed their willingness to engage in adult-like, criminal behavior.

Notably, studies show that charging juveniles as adults for violent crimes could potentially serve as a deterrent to such egregious acts in the future (American Psychological Association, 2014). We firmly believe that if these youths decided to demonstrate their "adulthood" through such brutal and life-ending actions, they should be made to face appropriate and stern punishments.

Contrary to what the current sentence might suggest, David's life mattered, and his loss has left a deep void in the hearts of his loved ones and all those who knew him. His assailants' actions reflect a level of malicious intent and due awareness that their actions would have serious consequences. It is essential, therefore, that we honor David's memory by ensuring that all the juveniles involved are penalized as adults and held fully accountable for their actions.

Please sign this petition to demand that everyone involved in the assault, stabbing, and death of David Gutierrez is charged as an adult. Let us support justice for David and send a powerful message that we will not tolerate such grossly unjust, 'slap on the wrist' sentences for violent, life-ending acts.