[Mintwood-place] Judges, Youth Violence, The System

[Bryan Weaver]

We have all been saddened by the horrific drive by shooting in the 4000 
block of South Capitol Street Wednesday night. Where four people were 
killed and five others wounded in a drive-by massacre.

The suspected driver behind the wheel was just 14 years old. The WaPo 
notes: 'The 14-year-old suspect, charged as a juvenile with 
first-degree murder, made his initial court appearance at a hearing 
that was closed to the public....Wearing a hooded jacket, the youth 
stood in shackles in the courtroom and was ordered held in a juvenile 
detention center until a court hearing April 7. Superior Court Judge 
Elizabeth C. Wingo noted that the youth has nine previous convictions 
on charges including assault and theft and had been placed in the 
custody of the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services six times. 
Court officials said the youth had fled from detention at least twice 
and had walked away without permission from DYRS custody before 
Tuesday's attack.'