The Attack
On the day of the murder, Shawn had been in the park with a friend when he encountered the two boys. One deliberately brushed his shoulder, provoking Shawn to question their actions. This led to one boy pulling the machete from his trousers. Shawn shouted for his friend to run, but he was unable to escape himself.
The boys launched a frenzied assault, stabbing Shawn in the back, legs, and skull. The fatal blow was a strike through his back that penetrated his ribs and heart. Witnesses reported seeing one boy hacking at Shawn’s legs while the other punched and stamped on his head. Despite CPR efforts, Shawn died at the scene.
Chilling Evidence
Investigators uncovered a disturbing pattern of behaviour from the boys. One of them had posed with the machete in a photograph taken hours before the murder. His internet search history revealed an obsession with knives, and after the attack, both boys searched online for news articles about the murder. One even looked up how many criminal records were needed to leave the country.
Snapchat messages shared the morning after the murder revealed their callous attitude. One boy responded to the news with, “It is what it is,” while another confessed, “I’m scared, man.” The chilling exchanges highlight the lack of remorse and the dangerous desensitisation to violence.
Legal Proceedings
Due to their age, the trial required special arrangements. The boys sat alongside family members and intermediaries in the courtroom, which was modified to create a less intimidating environment. Sessions were shorter, and the court refrained from traditional formalities like wigs and gowns.
The jury found both boys guilty of murder, despite their attempts to blame each other. They are the youngest murderers to be convicted in the UK since the James Bulger case in 1993. Sentencing will take place at a later date.
Broader Concerns
The murder has reignited debates about youth violence and the accessibility of weapons like machetes. West Midlands Police described the case as “shocking,” with Det Insp Damian Forrest noting it was the first time he had investigated a murder committed by children so young. The region has the highest knife crime rates in England and Wales, and officials are urging stricter controls on the sale of weapons.
The case draws parallels to the murder of Ronan Kanda, who was killed in Wolverhampton with a machete bought online. Activists and families of victims are calling for a ban on the online sale of such weapons, which are alarmingly easy for young people to acquire.
The Aftermath
Shawn’s parents, devastated by their loss, shared their sorrow in court, describing how their son had been full of hope for the future. His father expressed a wish for justice but also compassion for the families of the boys, saying he did not want them to “go away for life,” but wanted the “right sentence.”
As the community mourns Shawn’s loss, the case serves as a grim reminder of the urgent need to address the root causes of youth violence and ensure weapons like machetes are no longer easily accessible.
