A brave 18-year-old Philadelphian decided to defy the code of silence three years ago and helped solve four murders and nearly dismantle a West Philadelphia gang, writes Ellie Rushing for The Philadelphia Inquirer.
The teen was arrested in September 2021 while driving a stolen black Audi A6. That was his first run-in with police, and he was facing felony charges.
Officers were almost done processing him when he realized it was time to speak up. He said he had information about four murders and provided dates and approximate locations for each killing.
He then told police the nicknames of all of the shooters, which they immediately recognized as members of two allied West and North Philadelphia gangs, the Young Face Arrangers and Young Bag Chasers. These gangs have become increasingly notorious for committing shootings and then writing songs about them.
The teen agreed to testify before a grand jury and at a public trial about what he knew. The trial ultimately placed five key members of two gangs behind bars for decades.
“I’ve never seen a young kid do that,” said Southwest Philadelphia Detective Mikal Carr. “He was crucial. Without him, we wouldn’t have anyone.”
Read more about the brave teen and his crucial actions in The Philadelphia Inquirer.
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