A 19-year-old named Isiah Baez was arrested on Thursday and charged with the murder of DeAndre Matthews, who was found shot in the head and burned on freight train tracks near Brooklyn College in February. The motive for the killing has not yet been revealed as of yet, but Matthews’ family believes he was targeted because he was gay. Remy McPrecia was also arrested in connection with the case for tampering with evidence and concealment of a human corpse. Matthews’ mother, Danielle Matthews, has demanded justice for her son, who was known for his sense of humor and love of people.
His sister has stated that he was not a violent person, making his murder all the more devastating. Police have been investigating Matthews’ final 24 hours and discovered that he had left work to borrow his mother’s Jeep before going missing and later being found dead. The Jeep was also burned and found by Matthews’ mother outside a warehouse on Troy Avenue. The details of this case are truly disturbing, and it is evidently clear that the investigation is still ongoing as investigators piece together more details.
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Baez has been charged with murder, criminal possession of a weapon, and tampering with evidence. While he does not face hate crime charges at this stage, concerns expressed by the Matthews family suggest the possibility of a hate crime given DeAndre’s sexuality. “He deserves any and everything that he gets,” Danielle said after the suspect’s arrest. “He deserves every day to rot in that jail.”
A contributing factor to the rising teenage crime rate is the lack of sufficient support systems for the youth in New York. Many young people feel isolated and disconnected from their communities, which can lead to feelings of hopelessness and despair. Without positive role models or mentors, they may struggle to stay on the right path and may turn to crime as a way of finding a sense of belonging.
The consequences of this rise in crime are far-reaching. It not only affects the teenagers themselves but also puts other members of the community at risk. Crimes such as theft, assault, and even murder can have devastating consequences for victims, families, and communities as a whole. It also puts a strain on law enforcement agencies and the criminal justice system, which have to deal with an increasing number of cases.
To combat this issue, it is important for stakeholders in New York to come together and work towards finding solutions. This includes not just law enforcement agencies but also community leaders, educators, parents, and other concerned individuals.
It’s been said that providing more opportunities for young people, such as job training programs or after-school activities, it can help keep them away from criminal activities. Additionally, mentoring programs or peer support groups can provide much-needed guidance and support.