They look young, and they are young: they are two girls and two boys, 14 and 15 years old. Sources say all are members of a small gang called the "Skull Krusher Crew," formed by the children to "run around and beat people up."
Now they have all be charged as adults with first degree murder after allegedly beating a man to death in a crime that's stunned even veteran law enforcement officials. Prince George's County State's Attorney Glenn Ivey said, "It's a new one for me...up until this point."
Court documents allege that two weeks ago, Regina Young-Bey, Justin McBride, Marcus Williams and Calaisha Vaughn spotted their victim, 56 year old Aboubacar Camara, as he walked up this path behind Bladensburg Elementary. Police say one of the teens asked the man whether he had a cigarette. When Camara replied that he didn't smoke, another teen bumped him in the shoulder, knocking him to the ground. They then allegedly stole a pack of Marlboro cigarettes and his shoe, and beat him so savagely that two days later he died at the hospital.
According to sources, these teenagers may be responsible for at least 3 additional assaults in Bladensburg, and it is possible that they took cell phone video of their crimes.
One local woman, who asked not to be identified, says she's known all the defendants for years and has seen no sign of such savagery. "It's just heartbreaking," she said. "[They are] good kids."
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