Detroit police say carjacking rise includes suspect trio as young as 11
Detroit carjackings are up 40 percent compared to last year – and the ages of the kids doing them – have become unbelievable.
Michigan authorities have arrested and charged two teenage boys, ages 13 and 14, in connection with the carjacking and murder of Battle Creek Central High School honors student Jack Snyder.
Snyder was shot to death on Feb. 17 on the corner of Battle Creek Avenue and Capital Avenue SW in Battle Creek, Michigan, when he offered a ride to the two young suspects as he was driving home from his girlfriend's house around midnight.
"On this night, [Snyder] was trying to do what he thought was the right thing by offering a ride to these two younger kids walking in the freezing weather," Battle Creek Police Department Sgt. Chris Rabbitt told Fox News Digital. "It was a miserable night that night – cold, windy, snow, rain."
The 13-year-old and 14-year-old, however, had "evil intent," Rabbitt said, when they allegedly targeted Snyder after he offered them kindness.
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Jack Snyder, 17, was shot to death in Battle Creek, Michigan, on Feb. 17 after offering a ride to the two young suspects as he was driving home from his girlfriend's house. (Fox News)
Police initially responded to the incident at 12:11 a.m., when they found Snyder's body in the road next to his vehicle, according to police.
Detectives have recovered a handgun that they believe may be the murder weapon, though they cannot confirm until it is analyzed by forensic experts.
Witnesses said one suspect wore a black and red jacket and had long, messy hair, while the other wore a black jacket with white patches and a ski mask-style hat, a press release states.
Jack Snyder's obituary states that the 17-year-old "had a zest for life and made the world a better place with his care and love for everyone." (Fox News)
The police department received "a significant number of tips from the community" and their search for the two suspects was "aided by surveillance camera systems at multiple locations throughout the area," which allowed police to "track their movements," Rabbitt said. Authorities arrested both teenage suspects on Feb. 19.
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The 14-year-old is charged with felony murder, carjacking and two felony firearms charges. Authorities have not commented on the charges against the 13-year-old.
Jack Snyder, 17, was a member of the National Honor Society. (Facebook / Dana Bender)
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"This is an extremely tragic situation," Rabbitt said, describing Snyder as a "17-year-old young man who was getting ready to pursue his dreams after high school, doing … all the normal things a 17-year-old would do."
According to those who knew him at home and in school, Snyder was "a very good kid," the sergeant explained. "It's tragic that Jack had to lose his life and the lives of two other young boys … are ruined."
Snyder's obituary states that the 17-year-old "had a zest for life and made the world a better place with his care and love for everyone." He was a member of the National Honor Society, American Red Cross and Link Crew. He was also "enrolled in the EMT program through Kellogg Community College," according to his obituary.
Fox News' Haley Chi-Sing contributed to this report.
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