Deontae Mitchell, Someone Please Tell Me What's Happening Here!

**Bigdd** · June-03-16, 10:25 PM

Originally Posted by Wesley Mouch

I also noted that stealing the man's money seemed like an incredibly bad decision -- which the media seems to ignore in favor of focusing on the criminal doing what criminals do.

Am not blaming the victim here, but just wondering why the kid poked the beast, and why it doesn't seem to be worth discussion.

AND,.. why was a 13 year old hanging out in front of a liquor store at 10:30 pm on a school night?

Why wasn't he in bed ? Where are his parents ?

**iheartthed** · June-11-16, 01:48 PM

Originally Posted by Wesley Mouch

I also noted that stealing the man's money seemed like an incredibly bad decision -- which the media seems to ignore in favor of focusing on the criminal doing what criminals do.

Am not blaming the victim here, but just wondering why the kid poked the beast, and why it doesn't seem to be worth discussion.

Just for the record, what you're doing here is exactly the definition of blaming the victim. By talking about what the kid could have done differently to prevent his own murder suggests that he was in some part responsible for being murdered. Are you saying that he is responsible for his own murder?

**Zacha341** · June-03-16, 05:52 AM

National news coverage. Interesting they have the comments section closed:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/ap/...troit-boy.html

**Cincinnati_Kid** · June-03-16, 08:12 AM

The "mental state" of some of these people committing some of these crimes, also needs to be called into question. I really believe, that mental illness, isn't being addressed as it should.

**401don** · June-03-16, 08:56 AM

Originally Posted by Cincinnati_Kid

The "mental state" of some of these people committing some of these crimes, also needs to be called into question. I really believe, that mental illness, isn't being addressed as it should.

It's not as surprising to me when a 21 yr. old "career" criminal kills someone but I'm always surprised when, in this case, two people age 45 and 51, decide that their response to being wronged is to commit murder. How did these people get through the past 30 years and not act in this manner? Now at this age, has it just been the continual loss of values, sense of worth, hopelessness, etc. over time or was it a growing mental illness or both?

**sirrealone** · June-03-16, 11:49 AM

I never said the kid was right for taking the money.

What I am saying is that at the age of 13 you respond with emotion. You don't often see that there's another choice except for the bad one that you just made until after the initial moment has passed.

You're all up here saying that he should have made a better choice, which is fine and good to say now, but can you try for a moment to put yourself back in the mind of your 13 year old self? 13 year old minds aren't finished developing. The brain still has a lot of development to do. There's a lot of wiring that isn't in place yet. So, if you want to sit on your high horse and say that he should have made a better decision, then so be it, but I'm just saying that when he saw that money, he might have only seen one decision. The realization to even consider that there were other options may not have come until later.

But he never got that chance.

**Honky Tonk** · June-03-16, 01:30 PM

Originally Posted by sirrealone

I never said the kid was right for taking the money.

What I am saying is that at the age of 13 you respond with emotion. You don't often see that there's another choice except for the bad one that you just made until after the initial moment has passed.

You're all up here saying that he should have made a better choice, which is fine and good to say now, but can you try for a moment to put yourself back in the mind of your 13 year old self? 13 year old minds aren't finished developing. The brain still has a lot of development to do. There's a lot of wiring that isn't in place yet. So, if you want to sit on your high horse and say that he should have made a better decision, then so be it, but I'm just saying that when he saw that money, he might have only seen one decision. The realization to even consider that there were other options may not have come until later.

But he never got that chance.

You're way over analyzing this with all this nonsense about brain growth and development, and reading into this more than there is. By 13 you should have enough values instilled in you to know the difference between right and wrong, and to guide in your decision making process. He had none of that. He was taught to be an opportunist, snooze you lose, and that's what got him killed. Justified? NOT by any stretch of the imagination. The blame rests squarely on the people and environment that raised him and the guy that killed him.

**erikd** · June-04-16, 05:07 AM

Originally Posted by Honky Tonk

You're way over analyzing this with all this nonsense about brain growth and development, and reading into this more than there is. By 13 you should have enough values instilled in you to know the difference between right and wrong, and to guide in your decision making process. He had none of that. He was taught to be an opportunist, snooze you lose, and that's what got him killed. Justified? NOT by any stretch of the imagination. The blame rests squarely on the people and environment that raised him and the guy that killed him.

Honky Tonk,

I completely disagree with your vilification of the kid. Most 13 year old kids commit these kind of minor infractions, such as picking up dropped money and not returning it to the owner.

I don't know anybody who doesn't have a story about a time when they were a kid that age, and shoplifted a small item, or bullied another kid for being fat/short/nerdy, or took a few dollars from their parent's wallet/purse, or got into a fistfight, or found a wallet and didn't return it, or broke a window with a baseball and didn't own up to it, etc.

Maybe you were always a perfectly moral and honorable kid who never once did anything wrong, but I doubt it.

**Bigdd** · June-04-16, 07:09 AM

Originally Posted by erikd

Most 13 year old kids commit these kind of minor infractions, such as picking up dropped money and not returning it to the owner.

I don't know anybody who doesn't have a story about a time when they were a kid that age, and shoplifted a small item, or ..................

It was my impression [[the news wasn't clear),.. that the drunk, ex-con, suspect guy dropped the money pretty much right next to him while he was peeing,... and Deontae used that opportunity [[the guy peeing having his pecker in his hand and all) to swoop in and take the cash, and ride off real fast on his bike, before the guy could get his pants zipped up.

"IF" that's the way it happened,.. then that would be a REALLY brazen act.

**mikeg19** · June-03-16, 11:56 AM

Some people just don't respect the value of a life. Plain and simple. To most of us, we would never kill. Others, certain situations. Some, it doesn't matter if you assaulted them or unknowingly picked up a $5 they dropped, they will hurt you. Absolutely disgusting.

**Oddz313** · June-03-16, 02:54 PM

You ever see the series the wire? Should explain it to you. Word on the street is that the kid was basically homeless and usually stayed in abando w other homeless,runaways and street kids. No wonder he was out so late. He didn't attend school and maybe was just rounded up a cpl times for skool funding. His mom cares about getting high pretty much. 70 bucks is a lot of money to a hungry homeless teenager.

**cla1945** · June-03-16, 05:10 PM

Watched the Wire from the beginning of the series to the end. What is going on inside Detroit is the same as the series. Senseless crime, retaliation murders, drive-by shootings, kids getting murdered. All you ever see on the news is "He/she was a good kid, he/she was a good person, never did anything wrong, took care of themselves, churchgoer, getting an education...", all the remarks you'd expect from someone who considers themselves blameless in a relative being murdered. Meanwhile, this 13 year old is out at 10-11PM, in a crime ridden area. Where were his parents? Where is the church? Where is Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson, Malik....where is the outrage? These are animals preying on people and no one is doing a damn thing about it. This is Armageddon people...pure and simple.

**Oddz313** · June-03-16, 05:47 PM

Originally Posted by cla1945

Watched the Wire from the beginning of the series to the end. What is going on inside Detroit is the same as the series. Senseless crime, retaliation murders, drive-by shootings, kids getting murdered. All you ever see on the news is "He/she was a good kid, he/she was a good person, never did anything wrong, took care of themselves, churchgoer, getting an education...", all the remarks you'd expect from someone who considers themselves blameless in a relative being murdered. Meanwhile, this 13 year old is out at 10-11PM, in a crime ridden area. Where were his parents? Where is the church? Where is Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson, Malik....where is the outrage? These are animals preying on people and no one is doing a damn thing about it. This is Armageddon people...pure and simple.

He maybe was a good kid at one time, hunger and poverty make people do desperate things. Also you have to factor in a 13 yr old boys mischief and him being even worse because of his upbringing and being able to run the streets. Please lets not do the Al and Jesse bit though. It wasn't a state sanctioned murder and it wasn't due to race. Also people are outraged. Let's not be oblivious here, your earlier points are well noted though. It's been bad for a long time....the 70s really.

**Wesley Mouch** · June-04-16, 10:09 AM

Originally Posted by Oddz313

He maybe was a good kid at one time, hunger and poverty make people do desperate things. Also you have to factor in a 13 yr old boys mischief and him being even worse because of his upbringing and being able to run the streets. Please lets not do the Al and Jesse bit though. It wasn't a state sanctioned murder and it wasn't due to race. Also people are outraged. Let's not be oblivious here, your earlier points are well noted though. It's been bad for a long time....the 70s really.

Conversation about race. Isn't that what's wanted? Yet when one starts talking, the answer is 'not that please, you're wrong'.

Closer to the thread, this certain is tragic. But its not about race nor state-sanctioned murder. Its about broad social dysfunction. Jesse and Al could contribute to this conversation -- but they don't. Black America's so-called leaders bring up racism a lot these days. HonkeyTonk isn't out of place noticing that a little more introspection and less accusations of others might be something we should talk about. Denial and misdirected blame are factors here, in the opinion of many. Deny at our urban community's risk.

**Oddz313** · June-04-16, 10:41 AM

Originally Posted by Wesley Mouch

Conversation about race. Isn't that what's wanted? Yet when one starts talking, the answer is 'not that please, you're wrong'.

Closer to the thread, this certain is tragic. But its not about race nor state-sanctioned murder. Its about broad social dysfunction. Jesse and Al could contribute to this conversation -- but they don't. Black America's so-called leaders bring up racism a lot these days. HonkeyTonk isn't out of place noticing that a little more introspection and less accusations of others might be something we should talk about. Denial and misdirected blame are factors here, in the opinion of many. Deny at our urban community's risk.

Probably not a great conversation starter to talk about race in America. The murder of a 13 year old boy that is, I know if some black guy wanted to have a convo about race and the first thing he brought up was the Oakland county child killer or Jared from subway I would be wondering what his problem was

**cla1945** · June-03-16, 09:52 PM

In no way do I blame the child for his demise. I blame the animal who perceived that he stole something from him or that he looked at him wrong. I do blame the parents, Moms and Dads throughout Detroit, who are not keeping their children under the radar but instead let them "run the streets". There is absolutely no reason anyone goes hungry in Detroit or anywhere else. There are places that anyone can go to get free food and a place to sleep. The city is going to hell and no one can stop it.

**Wheels** · June-04-16, 08:57 AM

It would only have taken minimal and very basic parenting to avoid this sad situation. Not blaming the victim but watching the family on TV crying for justice just boils my blood! Detroit is working hard to get better schools but if the kids are not going what good are they? Somehow parents need to be made accountable.

**lpg** · June-04-16, 04:01 PM

Is there any doubt that the path this kid was on would eventually lead to prison or this ?? I agree with Wheels that parents who are only concerned when something happens need to held accountable.

**dguy4evr** · June-04-16, 04:55 PM

I don't know how true this flies, but from what I see on the news, and this is the only info I can base this on and if I'm wrong please correct me. It seems that from what I have observed, the efforts to erect and organize a "Memorial" could be better funneled into efforts to prevent these tragedies. Please don't take this as a slam on memorials. But it seems that everyone seems to come together in a moments notice to create these memorials. What if the same effort was put into organizing a neighborhood watch group or a neighborhood block club?

**evergreen** · June-05-16, 10:59 PM

In some ways this is similar to an incident that happened over 50 years ago when a young black teenager offended local yahoos at a small grocery store. He was abducted by several men and brutally beaten to death. Yeah, his name was was Emmett Till.

I keep asking myself: Did we come all this way for this?

**kathy2trips** · June-05-16, 11:52 PM

Originally Posted by evergreen

In some ways this is similar to an incident that happened over 50 years ago when a young black teenager offended local yahoos at a small grocery store. He was abducted by several men and brutally beaten to death. Yeah, his name was was Emmett Till.

I keep asking myself: Did we come all this way for this?

Child murders are nothing new. However, Till was racially motivated and this was apparently not [[the suspects are also black).

If you are seeking to draw a parallel, the Barbara Gaca case is more appropriate: same historical year [[1955) as Till but Gaca occurring in Detroit, involving a child, and apparently not racially motivated either. Only little Barbara's killer was never caught.

Me, I'm all for video camera monitoring of high crime areas. Crime succeeds best in 1) Unsubstantiated circumstances, i.e. no proof and 2) where you're sure you won't be seen. Cameras squash both these advantages, but of course it helps to have streetlights first.

**jcole** · June-06-16, 07:10 AM

Originally Posted by kathy2trips

Child murders are nothing new. However, Till was racially motivated and this was apparently not [[the suspects are also black).

If you are seeking to draw a parallel, the Barbara Gaca case is more appropriate: same historical year [[1955) as Till but Gaca occurring in Detroit, involving a child, and apparently not racially motivated either. Only little Barbara's killer was never caught.

Me, I'm all for video camera monitoring of high crime areas. Crime succeeds best in 1) Unsubstantiated circumstances, i.e. no proof and 2) where you're sure you won't be seen. Cameras squash both these advantages, but of course it helps to have streetlights first.

He was caught on video camera in the store and outside; that's how they knew who it was

**cla1945** · June-06-16, 09:07 PM

3 more senseless murders yesterday with a 15 year old boy being one of the victims. A known drug house that's been raided a few times already this month. Momma says her boy is a good boy,they were looking for "someone else". There will be street retailiation. There are no brains working here people. The elevator isn't going to the top, the lights are off.

**cla1945** · June-07-16, 09:11 PM

Another 14 year old murdered by a 13 year old today......animals preying on each other. I don't need anyone telling me not to call them animals because they are!

**G-DDT** · June-11-16, 12:06 AM

First of all, using the term "animals" is more commonly used by those suggesting racial implication [[and has been for a very long time-especially by those comparing blacks as a "primitive species") or those flexing a class distinction against the poor and "unwashed'.

Second, folks got to stop pissing about this being endemic to Detroit. Ever city suffers outlandish atrocity [[Louisville has some real humdingers I can elaborate on). Child murders happen in ever part of this country. I'm not trying to be ambivalent here, but there are some aspects here to consider to remain more objective.

What gets me is how a woman can be in this car and watch these beatings/stranglings carry on [[strangely not the "usual" molestation given to these atrocities) and do nothing about it.

There was an attempted kidnapping recently in PA by a mentally unhinged woman who had recently lost her own childhttp://abcnews.go.com/US/video-shows...ry?id=39668179. Also, there was this incident in FLA at a Dollar Store where a guy brazenly tries to make off [[against the will of one tough mother) with a 13 year oldhttp://abc7.com/news/video-13-year-o...ction/1376845/. These things happen everywhere.

Yet, if there is a major concern we have to address in Detroit, it is why more kids are suffering violently by one means or another-usually caught between deliberate retaliatory gang skirmishes and not this odd spree situation that occurred with the poor kid here.