On Tuesday, May 2.. The worst thing happened. 4 juveniles, including Marqtez, were involved in a shooting here in New Castle, IN. It was an act of self-defense, regardless of who was truly behind the trigger. While there is no rational reason for a child to have a weapon, let alone a gun.. they did. They had this gun in their possession due to the negligence of one of the juvenile's parents. The gun is not at fault and that is not the narrative we're pushing. However, we do want the media to ask why. Why did a 13 year old CHILD feel the need to carry a gun? Why was he able to get his hands on one? Why was he in a situation that he felt he had to use the gun?

Starting with why he felt the need to have one.. Marqtez was involved in a gun-related incident just 4 weeks prior. This incident happened while he was under the care of his father. His father threatened and intimidated him and his two half-siblings with a gun. This encounter was recorded and brought to the cops. Resulting in the father being arrested. This was a very traumatic experience for all involved. It caused a lot of mental distress and fear. Marqtez said he felt weak and extremely vulnerable. He spoke of this to 'friends'. Feeling like that at such a young age is something I personally cannot imagine. This was the reason he felt okay enough with having a weapon near/on him.
Here's the case information for the incident..
Go to http://mycase.in.gov . The case number is 48C01-2303-F5-000989
Regarding how these juvenile's gained access to a gun, that's simply due to the negligence and lack of parenting of the other juvenile's parents. The other male juvenile that was involved had access to his parents gun. This juvenile had previously attempted to sell the gun and that man informed the parents. Following that incident, the juvenile's parents did not lock up the gun. This is how he was able to regain access to it.
These juveniles were out at a time when they shouldn't have been. They were threatened by a grown man with a knife. As a result of feeling threatened, these kids acted impulsively. At their age, these kids lack impulse control and their brains are not fully developed. They're less culpable for their actions at such an age. In courtrooms and in the media, these factors are among many others that need to be taken into account.
I believe these crimes reflect transient immaturity rather than irreparable corruption. These kids need to be punished but still given a chance for rehabilition. They deserve equal justice and a fair system. This case should not be rushed just to please the public. The circumstances of the offense, and the backgrounds of the juvenile's need to be considered. Most judges only focus on the crime instead of the rehabilition narrative. These kids deserve help. Marqtez deserves help and rehabilitation. He is a bright kid that loves sports, music, and his family. He deserves support. Regardless of what the public is trying to say about him, he found himself in a bad situation and made a bad choice.