Jack Snyder: Murdered student, 17, 'was doing the right thing' by offering teens ride in freezing weather
BATTLE CREEK, MICHIGAN: The family of 17-year-old Jack Snyder is seeking justice after he was allegedly shot and killed by two teenagers when he offered them a ride in freezing temperatures. Michigan authorities arrested and charged two teenage boys, aged 13 and 14, in the carjacking and murder of the Battle Creek Central High School honors student.
Jack was reportedly shot to death on February 17 on the corner of Battle Creek Avenue and Capital Avenue SW in Battle Creek, Michigan, shortly after he offered a ride to the two young suspects who were walking in below-freezing temperatures as he was driving home from his girlfriend's house around midnight.
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Trying to do the right thing
"On this night, [Jack] was trying to do what he thought was the right thing by offering a ride to these two younger kids walking in the freezing weather," Battle Creek Police Department Sgt Chris Rabbitt told Fox News. "It was a miserable night that night – cold, windy, snow, rain." According to Rabbitt, the suspects had "evil intent" and plotted against the Good Samaritan after getting into his vehicle on the night of February 17. At some point, they allegedly shot him twice in a failed plan to carjack him. "This is an extremely tragic situation," Rabbitt said, noting that the victim was a "17-year-old young man who was getting ready to pursue his dreams after high school, doing … all the normal things a 17-year-old would do." He was "a very good kid. It's tragic that Jack had to lose his life and the lives of two other young boys … are ruined," Rabbitt added.
A memorial for Jack Snyder, a senior soccer player at Battle Creek Central, who was murdered late last week. 2 juveniles are in custody and have a hearing today. BCPD expected to release more at a press conference this afternoon pic.twitter.com/rdwiRMnNi9
— Nick Ponton (@nick_ponton) February 21, 2023
Authorities responded to reports of shots fired near Battle Creek Avenue and Capital SW, and said a student at Battle Creek Central High School "was found in the road, next to his vehicle" upon arrival. Jack was pronounced dead at the scene. The two teen suspects were allegedly seen in the victim's car before the shots rang out, and fled the scene on foot. The fire department said one of the suspects had "long, messy hair" and was wearing a black and red jacket, while the other wore a black jacket with white patches and a "ski-mask-style hat." Police asked nearby residents to check their security camera footage to see if it captured anything between 11.30 pm on February 16 and 1 am on February 17. They were asked to report immediately if they saw anyone who fit the description.
Suspects arrested and charged
Rabbitt told Fox News that the suspects were apprehended on February 19 after authorities received "a significant number of tips from the community" and used "surveillance camera systems at multiple locations throughout the area" that helped detectives "track their movements." The 14-year-old suspect has been charged with felony murder, carjacking, and two firearms charges, both felonies. He reportedly pleaded not guilty but was denied bond during his arraignment on Friday, February 24. Meanwhile, the 13-year-old suspect was charged with open murder and carjacking, per WWMT.
Helping people out in dire situations was in keeping with Jack and his family's character. "If you know them, they are so humble and would give their own shirt off their back to anyone in need and now it's our time to help them," Jack's aunt April Daugherty wrote in a GoFundMe campaign to help the family. "Every bit counts. Thank you in advance. #JusticeforJack." The fundraising campaign has raised over $29,000 at the time of publication. Jack loved soccer and was, "light-hearted, charismatic, athletic, and humorous. One who left an indelible mark on all that met him," his obituary states. The budding student-athlete was on the National Honor Society and involved in the American Red Cross and Link Crew. He reportedly aspired to attend Grand Valley State University. Jack Snyder is survived by his parents, two sisters, and a brother, as well as his paternal grandparents, maternal grandmother, his girlfriend, and close pals, People reported.