A 17-year-old high school honors student from Battle Creek, Michigan, is believed to have been shot and killed by two other adolescents after offering them a lift. His family is now seeking justice on his behalf.
At about midnight, Jack Snyder, 17, was returning home from his girlfriend’s residence when he picked up two children, ages 13 and 14, who were out strolling in the subfreezing weather, according to Battle Creek Police Department Sgt. Chris Rabbitt.
According to Rabbitt, “On this particular night, [Snyder] was trying to do what he thought was the proper thing by providing a ride to these two younger children who were walking in the chilly weather. “The night was a horrible one; it was chilly, windy, snowing, and raining.”
On the evening of February 17, Rabbit claimed that the suspects plotted against Jack after entering his car and that they had “bad intent.” They allegedly attempted to carjack him and then shot him twice.
The victim was a “17-year-old young man who was getting set to pursue his ambitions after high school, doing… all the regular things a 17-year-old would do,” Rabbitt said, adding that the incident was “very unfortunate.”
“He’s a very good kid,” he said. “Tragically, two other young boys’ lives are now damaged due to Jack’s death,” said Rabbitt.
IAFF Local 335 of the Battle Creek Fire Department posted on Facebook that there had been reports of gunshots at Capitol SW and Battle Creek Avenue. When police arrived, Jack, a Battle Creek Central High School student, “was found on the road, close to his vehicle.”
At the scene, he was identified as deceased.
Before the bullets were fired, two boys were purportedly observed in Jack’s automobile. According to the authorities, they walked away.
The fire department stated that the first had on a black and red jacket and had “lengthy, unkempt hair,” and the second had on a black jacket with white patches and a “ski mask-style cap.”
Neighbors were asked to check their security camera footage between 1 a.m. on February 17 and 11:30 p.m. on February 16 to see if anything was captured and to notify the police if they observed anyone who suited the descriptions.
The two accused perpetrators, according to Rabbitt, were later apprehended after officials received “a substantial number of leads from the community” and used “surveillance camera systems at several points throughout the area” to assist them in “tracing their activities.”
The 14-year-old was taken into custody on February 19 and has since been charged with felony murder, carjacking, and two firearms offenses, both felonies.
He entered a not guilty plea, but, according to WWMT, was not granted bond during his arraignment on Friday. When people asked his attorney for a response, they did not get back to them right away.
The 13-year-old was accused of both carjacking and open murder.
Jack and his family had a history of doing good deeds for others, like picking up two young strangers to get them out of the cold.
In a GoFundMe, Jack’s aunt said, “If you know them, they are so modest and would give their own shirt from their back to anyone in need, and now it’s our time to help them.” Every bit matters. I want to say thank you. #JusticeforJack.”
The campaign has already raised around $27,000, which is more than its initial $8,000 target.
According to Jack’s obituary, he was “light-hearted, gregarious, athletic, and amusing.” “He loved soccer.” one who left a lasting impression on everyone he encountered.
He participated in Link Crew, the American Red Cross, and the National Honor Society. His ambition was to enroll at Grand Valley State University. He leaves behind his girlfriend, his close friends, his parents, two sisters, and a brother, in addition to his paternal grandparents and maternal grandmother.