TULSA, OKLAHOMA: In a recent court ruling that has brought a sense of relief to the terrorized victims of a shocking incident, a 16-year-old gang member, Noah Ney, was sentenced to 50 years in jail for his role in the shooting of a 5-year-old girl in Oklahoma in 2022.
Ney, who was tried as an adult, was deemed beyond rehabilitation due to his extensive history of rejecting treatment and his criminal behavior.
Prosecution presents damning evidence
Assistant Tulsa County District Attorney Morgan Medders, who presented evidence during the trial, highlighted Ney's pattern of rejecting treatment and his propensity for violence.
"I have treatment records in a packet thicker than a dictionary showing treatment attempts that he rejected, by escaping or assaulting staff that were there to help him," Medders stated.
The incident in question took place in April of the previous year when Ney, allegedly as part of an initiation into the Hoover Crips gang, drove by the victim's home in a stolen car and fired a gun at the house.
The young girl was playing inside and suffered gunshot wounds to her neck and shoulder.
"There were multiple people in the line of fire during the drive-by shooting," Medders told Tulsa District Court, highlighting the gravity of the situation.
"The five-year-old was transported to hospital by EMSA because of the severity of her injuries and a difference of an inch or two in the penetrating gunshot wounds to the child could have resulted in her death," Medders added.
Ney already had a criminal record dating back to his middle school years.
He was awaiting sentencing for the shooting when he and another inmate managed to escape from the Tulsa County Juvenile Justice Center.
The daring escape prompted a massive manhunt. Ney was ultimately arrested three days later outside a convenience store.
Sergeant Scott Streeter of the Tulsa County Sheriff's Office Warrants Unit described the arrest.
He said, "We came around the corner between us and Tulsa Police Department, got him surrounded, and were able to take him in. I think he thought about running, he turned around but everyone was all sides of him, so he laid down on the ground and gave up."
Ney's mixed background and troubled upbringing
The court learned that Ney's family background was far from ideal, with both his parents having criminal records, and his father having been repeatedly imprisoned.
Ney's mother acknowledged her son's cruelty toward people and animals but blamed herself for his behavior.
Meanwhile, his aunt claimed he had been neglected throughout his life, albeit the court was informed that his conduct deteriorated during placements with both his aunt and grandmother.
"A neighbor testified to Noah causing havoc in the neighborhood by wearing gang colors and carrying guns and knives, and often pulling them on neighbors while threatening them," Medders said.
"While several extended family members appeared at the certification hearing, those same people have been available to Noah throughout his extensive juvenile history and that did not appear to make a difference," Medders added.
Ney was sentenced to 50 years in prison after he admitted to 12 counts involving firearms, drugs, gangs, theft, and assault.
The judge has scheduled a judicial review of his sentence in 2028, with the possibility of a reduction if Ney demonstrates remorse and reforms.
Community reactions
The case has sparked a range of reactions from the community. Some expressed relief at the lengthy sentence, while others questioned the accountability of Ney's family.
"This might be the signal that more of our youth offenders need that if you commit the crime you'll do the time!" Ronnie Jo Bingham said.
"Old enough to do adult crimes," Debbie McAfee said, adding, "His age shouldn't be taken into consideration when deciding his sentence."
There were also those who sympathized with the troubled teenager, reminiscing about his earlier years.
"Breaks my heart. This little boy played on the same team as my son in elementary. He was so sweet then," stated JamiLea Gifford, as quoted by the Daily Mail.
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