In a startling turn of events, a diminutive 16-year-old boy from Oklahoma, Noah Ney, has been handed a staggering sentence of over 50 years in prison for a deeply disturbing incident involving the shooting of a 5-year-old girl as part of a gang initiation. This shocking incident unfolded in April 2022 during a drive-by shooting in Tulsa, leaving the young victim injured but miraculously alive.
Standing at just 4 feet, 9 inches tall, Noah Ney has been sentenced as an adult, a decision that has left many baffled. He was found guilty on all ten charges brought against him, which included shooting with intent to kill, firearm possession, and drug possession, as reported by NewsOn6.
The incident unfolded as Ney, travelling in a stolen SUV, unleashed a hail of bullets that struck the 5-year-old girl in the neck and shoulder while she was innocently playing outside. Prosecutors revealed that the outcome could have been far more tragic if the bullet had landed just an inch away from where it did.
What is particularly alarming about this case is that the shooting was allegedly part of Noah Ney’s initiation into the notorious Tulsa’s Hoover Crips gang, according to sources cited by the Daily Mail. It was brought to light in court that Ney had been causing mayhem in the neighborhood by sporting gang colors and brandishing firearms and knives, even resorting to threats against his neighbors. Assistant Tulsa County District Attorney Morgan Medders provided testimony that painted a grim picture of Ney’s actions.
But the young assailant’s story doesn’t end there. Following his arrest, Ney, who looks even younger than his age in his mugshot and weighs a mere 90 pounds, managed to escape from a juvenile detention center in Tulsa. This audacious escape involved scaling a fence while a guard’s attention was momentarily diverted. During his time on the run, Ney was presumed to be armed, which led to his re-arrest at gunpoint just four days later.
As the courtroom drama unfolded during Ney’s sentencing, prosecutors shed light on his extensive criminal history, which included a string of robberies, gun-related offenses, and drug-related incidents. Furthermore, it was revealed that while in the juvenile detention center, Ney had repeatedly assaulted staff, flooded his cell, and committed acts of vandalism that included smearing feces on the walls.
In arguing for a lengthy sentence, the prosecution maintained that Ney posed a significant danger to society and needed to be kept off the streets. Ney’s defense, however, shifted blame to his parents, claiming that they were responsible for his troubled behavior. His aunt testified that her nephew had been neglected throughout his life by both his mother and father, the latter of whom had been in and out of prison. But the prosecutor was quick to emphasize that Ney’s turbulent upbringing couldn’t excuse the menace he represented.
Assistant Tulsa County District Attorney Morgan Medders presented a damning account of Ney’s refusal to engage in rehabilitation efforts, saying, “I have treatment records in a packet that is thicker than a dictionary that show treatment attempts that he rejected, by escaping or assaulting staff that was there to help him get treatment.”
Ney’s fate now hangs in the balance, as he will be eligible for a judicial review hearing in five years. During this hearing, the court will consider whether his behavior has improved, potentially leading to a reduction in his sentence.
This harrowing case highlights the complex and deeply troubling issues surrounding youth involvement in criminal activities and the challenges faced by the justice system when dealing with such cases. The story of Noah Ney serves as a stark reminder that the consequences of a single moment of violence can shape the lives of everyone involved for years to come.
