The NYPD has named a child the youngest gang member in New York after an alleged mugging and arson scheme in Brooklyn.
According to the New York Daily News, the child, whose name was withheld due to his age, was arrested for allegedly mugging a 67-year old woman on Monday and later lighting merchandise on fire in a local store. Police claim the 10-year-old's crimes stemmed from an initiation into Stone Crips, a Brooklyn gang. Assistant Commissioner Kevin O'Connor of the Juvenile Justice Division said the child's age was a shocker when it comes to gang members in New York.
"It's uncommon to hear a 10-year-old in a gang," O'Connor said. "It's not uncommon to hear that kids are being influenced by them." Police Commissioner Bill Bratton also called the child "a very troubled young individual."
His mother, who hit photographers with her purse as she left the courthouse with her son on Thursday, claims the police are painting the wrong portrait of her son. "My son is awesome. He's a good kid," the mother said. "You paint him like he's all bad. He's not." They're currently living in a privately owned homeless shelter in Brooklyn.
During the alleged arson on Tuesday, the 10-year-old was charged with assault, attempted robbery and arson. Neighbors disagreed with the mother's sentiments about her son's behavior.
"If the system really knew about him, they'd think he was a terrorist," said neighbor Michael Palmer. "I'm scared to do the things he does, and I'm 40 years old."
Source: NY Daily News | Photo Credit: Splash News
