We often think of crimes as something adults commit, especially when they involve violence or complicated motives. But there are rare cases where the people responsible are just kids.
When these young people commit serious crimes, the world reacts with shock and disbelief. What could drive someone so young to commit such acts? How do they even understand what they've done? And what happens when the law treats them not as children but as adults?
When these young people commit serious crimes, the world reacts with shock and disbelief. What could drive someone so young to commit such acts? How do they even understand what they've done? And what happens when the law treats them not as children but as adults?
Philip Chism
In 2013, Philip Chism, a 14-year-old student in Danvers, Massachusetts, carried out an appalling crime. He followed his 24-year-old math teacher, Colleen Ritzer, into a school bathroom, where he attacked her with a box cutter, ending her life.
He then committed further crimes against her before moving her body in a recycling bin to a wooded area behind the school, where he attempted to bury her. Afterward, Chism used Ritzer's credit card to buy a movie ticket. This chilling incident led to him being tried as an adult and sentenced to life.
Lionel Tate
Lionel Tate holds a grim record as the youngest American ever sentenced to life without parole. At only 12 years old, Tate was found responsible for the death of 6-year-old Tiffany Eunick in 1999 in Florida. Tate initially claimed it was a wrestling accident, but the evidence showed extensive injuries that suggested deliberate harm.
In 2001, he was convicted of first-degree murder. This case drew intense public scrutiny due to Tate's age, but the severity of his actions led to the life sentence. Though Tate's sentence was later reduced, his case remains one of the most infamous involving a young perpetrator.
T.J. Lane
On February 27, 2012, T.J. Lane, a 17-year-old from Chardon, Ohio, committed a mass shooting at his high school. Armed with a handgun, Lane shot six students, killing three and injuring others, including one who was left permanently paralyzed.
Lane's actions appeared to be driven by deep resentment and detachment from his peers and society. He was charged with three counts of aggravated murder and received multiple life sentences without the possibility of parole. During his court appearances, Lane showed a lack of remorse, even wearing a T-shirt with "Killer" written on it, shocking those who followed the trial.
Nehemiah Griego
In 2013, Nehemiah Griego, a 15-year-old from New Mexico, carried out a devastating act against his own family. On January 19, Griego shot and killed five members of his family, including his parents and three younger siblings, in their home near Albuquerque.
The motive for the crime remains unclear, but his actions left an entire community grieving. Griego was initially sentenced to life in prison, with later debates over whether his sentence should be altered due to his age. However, his crime remains one of the most brutal family killings involving a teenager.
The Bever Brothers
Robert Bever, 18, and his younger brother, Michael Bever, 16, committed a horrific crime in 2015 that shocked their community in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. The brothers attacked their own family in a planned assault, murdering five of their family members, including their parents and three siblings.
Two siblings survived, one of whom identified Robert and Michael as the attackers. Both brothers were arrested, and they faced multiple charges, including five counts of first-degree murder. Their crime left a lasting scar on their community, and both received life sentences.
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