'Smirking' White schoolboy, 15, admits trying to drown Black child and calling him 'George Floyd' – The Mirror US
A 15-year-old white schoolboy has admitted trying to drown a black child while calling him George Floyd and smirking at witnesses in a vile hate crime. Teenager John P. Sheeran was accused of pushing the child's head underwater and laughing after shouting racial slurs and hurling rocks ar him,.
The 15-year-old entered a guilty plea to counts of assault with a dangerous weapon and attempted murder. The date of sentencing is February 5. Because he was prosecuted as a "youthful offender," the judge might punish him as either an adult or a juvenile.
On July 19 2023 while swimming at Goose Pond, Sheeran repeatedly pushing the Black youngster under water while hurling stones and using derogatory language about his race. Cape and Island District Attorney Robert Galibois has already stated that the assault was motivated by race.
The Black adolescent was allegedly harassed by another boy as well. Court documents redacted the name of the other white teen. He is facing juvenile charges. According to a police complaint, a bystander on the beach stepped in and assisted the Black adolescent in returning to shore when the teen started to scream for help.
The heroic bystander later told cops he heard the victim pleading with Sheeran and his friend not to splash them as he couldn't swim. It is then the then 15-year-old forced the terrified youngster's head underwater while shouting slurs as the boy screamed for help
The bystander raced to his aid and shouted at the two to stop. at which point he claims the pair were smirking at him.
The attack was denounced by the Chatham Select Board in a statement. "We are disturbed and saddened to learn of the event that occurred earlier this summer between juveniles," the statement says. "We do not believe that it reflects the true nature of our community, which is diverse and inclusive. We condemn all acts of violence, particularly those directed at children.
"Our thoughts are with the victim and their family, and we are here to support them in any way we can," the statement continues. Galibois's account states that the indicted 14-year-old met the victim and another white juvenile male near Goose Pond in Chatham on July 19.
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According to the statement, the indicted white teen is accused of threatening the Black youngster by grabbing a stone. The statement claims that the indicted white teenager used a racial slur when speaking to the Black boy. The allegation claims that before the three boys entered the water, the Black teen informed the two white males that he was unable to swim as he put on a life jacket.
Galibois claims that the indicted white child tugged on the Black boy's life jacket while the three of them were in the water and submerged him four or five times, causing him to have breathing difficulties.
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Galibois claims that after the third young juvenile yelled and referred to the Black juvenile as "George Floyd," the altercation escalated when the indicted youngster dived under and tried to drag the Black boy by his feet.
