A 17-year-old high school honors student was fatally shot by two younger teens after he offered them a lift, police say.
Around 12:00AM on February 17, 17-year-old Jack Snyder was on his way back home after spending some time at his girlfriend's house.
Speaking to Fox News, Detective Sergeant Chris Rabbitt of Battle Creek Police Department said Snyder picked up a 13-year-old and a 14-year-old who were out in the freezing cold.
"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," Rabbitt said. "It was a miserable night that night – cold, windy, snow, rain."
According to the detective sergeant, the two youngsters had "evil intent" and had been planning to attack Snyder once they were in his car. Rabbitt also alleges that the suspects shot Snyder twice in a bid to carjack him.
"This is an extremely tragic situation," Rabbitt said, adding that the victim was 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."
He was "a very good kid. It's tragic that Jack had to lose his life and the lives of two other young boys … are ruined," continued Rabbitt.
In a post on Facebook, Battle Creek Firefighters IAFF Local 335 said: "Calhoun County Consolidated Dispatch received a 911 call about gunshots in the area of Battle Creek Avenue and Capital SW, as well as a shooting victim – Snyder – who was found in the road, next to his vehicle.
"At 12:11AM Battle Creek Police officers arrived in the area and found Snyder. LifeCare Ambulance and the Battle Creek Fire Department responded to give life-saving care, but they unfortunately pronounced Snyder dead at the scene."
The post continued: "Police are asking for the community’s help to identify these subjects from the car. If you live in this general area, please review any home security camera footage you might have from between the hours of 11:30PM
"Thursday night and 1 a.m. this morning. If you see anyone matching the descriptions of these subjects, please call Battle Creek Police at 269-781-0911, or call anonymously through Silent Observer at 269-964-3888. See less."
Rabbit confirmed that the two teenagers have since been arrested after police received "a significant number of tips from the community" and used "surveillance camera systems at multiple locations throughout the area" that helped authorities "track their movements."
The 14-year-old was charged with felony murder, carjacking and two firearms charges, both felonies. He pleaded not guilty and was denied bond during his arraignment on Friday.
The 13-year-old was charged with open murder and carjacking.
Snyder's aunt has since written in a GoFundMe: "Jack was murdered Friday Feb 17th, 2023. I wanted to put this together for the Snyder. If you know them, they are so humble and would give their own shirt off their back to anyone in need and now it's our time to help them. Everybit counts. Thank you in advance. #JusticeforJack."
So far, after hundreds of donations, the fundraiser has amassed nearly four times its initial goal of $8,000.
Our thoughts are with Snyder's loved ones at this time.
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