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13-Year-Old Faces in New York Murder Charge After Shooting 11-Year-Old Boy
A 13-year-old boy in Newburgh, New York, is facing a murder charge after he shot an 11-year-old boy to death.
Police said on October 10 that the teenager is facing a second-degree murder charge following the shooting, which took place inside a home on North Miller Street near South Street on October 9, according to CBS News.
It’s not currently clear what events led to the shooting, if there was a motive or how the shooter and victim knew each other. However, the outlet reported that officers found a firearm at the scene of the crime and that the teen was taken into custody within 12 hours of the fatal incident.
“Three juveniles of interest were identified and quickly located by police,” Newburgh officials said, per CBS News.
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Police have not revealed the identity of the shooter, though authorities said they were not related.
Following the tragedy, neighbors and strangers in the area attended a memorial on October 10 that was held outside the home where the boy was killed.
“I’m heartbroken. My community is heartbroken. We’re talking about kids,” Newburgh resident Tamie Hollins told CBS News.
Hollins went on to add that the residents “want this situation investigated” and “want to know what really happened” to the young boy.
Fellow resident Melanie Gonzalez said, “A lot of things came through my head. I wanted to go to school and pick up my child. It was horrible.”
Meanwhile, Glenn Pugh – who owns a nearby coffee shop – said the victim was a regular customer at his store. “It broke me. I was inconsolable … Who would want to hurt an 11-year-old?” Pugh told the outlet. “He was the sweetest kid you’d ever want to meet. I know it’s cliché to say that he was a good kid, but he was a great kid. Very, very well-mannered. Very well spoken.”
While not much is known about the victim, it was revealed that he was a student at Newburgh Enlarged City School District.
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“The loss of one young life and the arrest of another is an unimaginable tragedy, one that deeply affects our entire school community,” Dr. J. Manning Campbell, superintendent of schools, said in a statement obtained by Fox News. “Two children, full of potential, now represent devastating losses in different ways. Our hearts ache for their families, their friends, their teachers, and everyone who has been touched by this tragedy.”
Campbell went on to explain that support services and counseling are being offered to students and staff.
“Please do not hesitate to reach out. No one should carry this pain alone,” he stated. “As we mourn the loss of life and reflect on the deep impact of this event, let us hold one another in compassion and recommit ourselves to nurturing hope, safety, and love for all of our children.”
On Wednesday, October 15, the victim’s family spoke out after his death. “On behalf of our family, we want to thank the City of Newburgh and all police agencies involved in the apprehension of the shooter,” relatives of the tragic boy, who has since been identified as Matthew Degroat, said in a statement to News12 Westchester.
“We send a huge thank you to the SNUG group, its community partners and everyone for their continued prayers and support in our time of need,” the statement continued. “Mathew may be gone, but he will never be forgotten.”
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