Violent Crime Committed by Juveniles

     Sept. 29, 2021 – A breakdown of violent offenses committed this year by juvenile defendants includes four murders, six sexual assaults of minor victims and 19 incidents involving the threat or use of a deadly weapon, Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich said Wednesday.

    As of Sept. 1, a total of 25 juveniles have been transferred to be handled as adults in Criminal Court.

      Tennessee law says that certain juvenile offenders can be dealt with as adults in Criminal Court, including: 

• those under 14 who commit murder 1st, murder 2nd or attempted murder 1st and attempted murder 2nd

• those between 14-17 who commit or attempt to commit a violent crime (murder, rape, kidnapping, aggravated robbery, carjacking, aggravated burglary)

• those between 16-17 who commit robbery and

• those between 17-18 -- regardless of the crime.

    In addition to these criteria and others in the law, the judge considers the juvenile’s prior record and what was tried before to rehabilitate the juvenile.

    So far this year, the cases in which transfers have been granted include:

·      25 total

·      3 Murder 1st cases

·      1 Murder 2nd case

·      6 rapes or aggravated sexual batteries of minor victims

·      19 involve the threat or use of deadly weapon

o   1 knife

o   1 tire iron believed to be a gun

o   17  handguns/rifles being pointed at, discharged at or used to beat victims

·      The youngest person transferred –14 for Murder 1st degree

·      The oldest—40—for a rape that occurred when he was a juvenile—law requires a transfer hearing

·      Majority are 17 or 18

·      6 have no prior criminal history

·      19 have prior cases involving Aggravated Robbery, Carjacking, Rape, Aggravated Burglary, weapon offenses and theft.

Here are brief narratives of the cases

        (An offender may be involved in more than one incident.)  

1.        Juvenile points AR style rifle at victim and took his car, keys, wallet and phone.

2.        Same juvenile as above and co-defendant point rifle at victim sitting in her car. She has no cash so they take her phone, license and debit card.

3.        Victim has conversation with juvenile and another male. When victim turns to leave, juvenile fired five shots at him.

4.        Two juveniles (one wearing a DCS ankle monitor from a prior Aggravated Robbery) rob a man with tire iron of his car and keys.

5.        Three juveniles - all armed with handguns - take cash from cousin of one of the juveniles.

6.        Same juvenile who robbed his cousin, pointed a handgun at head of another victim from back seat and took his truck.

7.        Juvenile approaches victim sitting in his car. Hits him in the head with gun; drags him from car, threatens to kill him and takes car.

8.        For the next three weeks, this same juvenile, drives throughout Shelby County bumping people in traffic. When they exit to assess damage, he points gun at them and takes their cars.

9.        Over a four-day period, five citizens victimized by juvenile and his friends. Each case involved a gun. One victim was shot. One victim was tased. Four cars stolen at gunpoint as well as wallets, purses and cash.

10.        An 11-year-old victim raped when offender was 15. At time of transfer, offender was 23 years old.

11.        Juvenile raped his sleeping cousin.

12.        Juvenile and two friends victimized two citizens in two days. Armed with guns, they forced one from his car, demanded keys and wallet and fled in victim’s car. Also tased him.

13.        Same juveniles above - armed - demanded bags from a victim. Victim refused and was shot.

14.        One of the juveniles from #12 and #13 above - with the help of more friends - went on to victimize six more citizens at gunpoint. Tased one. Shot one. Stole 3 more cars at gunpoint.

15.        Juvenile raped victim when he was 17. Case went unsolved until now. At time of transfer, offender was 40.

16.        Juvenile pulls out gun and shoots at people sitting outside. One died. One injured.

17.        Juvenile raped a child under the age of 12.

18.        Juvenile wearing DCS ankle monitor and with the help of several friends, in one day, takes property from six different citizens at gunpoint. He took a car from a food delivery person at gunpoint. Put gun to head of one of his victims saying “don’t do anything stupid.” Stole phones, wallets, cash.

19.        Same juvenile as above and two weeks later - with help of four friends -  approaches victim, points rifle in his face and takes his phone.

20.        Juvenile paid to use recording studio. After session, stabbed victim nearly to death to get his money back.

21.        Juvenile shot and killed victim after unsuccessfully trying to grab money from victim.

22.        Juvenile over two days victimized two citizens. Stole a car at gunpoint from Lyft driver. Committed one drive-by shooting at occupied home.

23.        Juvenile pulls out gun and shoots and kills someone he is talking to.

24.        Juvenile committed aggravated sexual battery against 7-year-old niece.

25.        Juvenile inside car from which shot fired at police officers. Prior to that, juvenile and his four friends approached two women in a car. Ordered them out at gunpoint. Threatened to shoot them in the face and stole both of their cars.

26.        Juvenile shoots and kills one victim at apartment complex and injures another.

27.        Juvenile and friend approach victim, point gun at his head and took his car.

28.        Over four days, juvenile and his friends, stole three cars. Hit two victims with a gun. Threatened a third. Bumped one victim in traffic and took car and phone at gunpoint when victim exited to check car.

29.        Juvenile forced a 12-year-old victim to perform oral sex on him. Filmed the incident. Video distributed throughout local high school.