A Michigan honors student trying to be a Good Samaritan was allegedly murdered by two younger boys after he offered them a ride amid freezing cold temperatures, WWMT-TV reports.
Now the two youths, ages 14 and 13, are behind bars facing murder and other charges following the February 17 attack in Battle Creek.
Authorities say that after 17-year-old Jack Snyder left a birthday party for his girlfriend, he came upon the two youths whom he did not know and offered them a ride because the temperature outside was only around 12 degrees Fahrenheit.
The younger boys allegedly attempted to carjack Snyder and shot him twice when he would not give up the vehicle.
Snyder’s body was discovered face down by his car in the road around 12:10 a.m. Friday. Medics were called and attempted to resuscitate him, but he was declared dead at the scene.
Police later found the 14-year-old in a vehicle in the area around 2 a.m., while the 13-year-old surrendered to police later that weekend.
The 14-year-old, identified as Justice Chimner, is in adult court and has been charged with felony murder, carjacking and multiple weapons violations, Fox 17 reports. He has pleaded not guilty. If convicted, he could be sentenced up to life in prison.
The 13-year-old is not in adult court but his case could be transferred there, according to WWMT-TV. He has been charged with felony murder, homicide and carjacking. He has not been identified publicly.
Both defendants are being held at a youth detention facility.
Battle Creek Police Sergeant Jeff Case said Snyder was just trying to help the younger boys when they turned on him.
“The victim was trying to be a Good Samaritan by giving them a ride with the cold temperatures,” Case told reporters at a press conference, according to WOOD-TV. “I do know that he resisted the carjacking. So again, he was trying to help out but wasn’t just going to give over the car.”
Snyder was a senior at Battle Creek Central High School. His obituary describes him as “light-hearted, charismatic, athletic, and humorous.” He played varsity soccer and was a member of National Honor Society.
April Daugherty, Snyder’s aunt, has launched a GoFundMe page to help raise money for the family.
“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,” Daugherty wrote of Snyder’s family. “Every bit counts.”
Snyder’s loved ones gathered for his funeral on Friday at St. Philip Roman Catholic Church in Battle Creek, according to Mid-Michigan Now.
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[Featured image: Jack Snyder/GoFundMe]
