Teen Girls Involved in Fatal Carjacking May Avoid Jail Time in Plea Deal
Two teen girls who were responsible for the Washington D.C. carjacking that led to the death of an Uber Eats driver will reportedly agree to a “cushy” plea deal. The plea deal could mean that both girls are not held past the age of 21 and that neither will be placed in a prison facility.
The incident which took place on March 23rd, 2021 involved two teen girls ages 13 and 15. In a video that was shared on Twitter and has now racked up millions of views, the two girls can be seen attempting to carjack the vehicle of 66-year-old Uber Eats driver, Mohammad Anwar. When Anwar refuses to give up his vehicle, the vehicle speeds away with Anwar hanging from the side. Moments later, the car crashes, flipping on impact.
In a press release, D.C. police share, “DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene and transported the victim to an area hospital for treatment. After all life saving efforts failed, the victim was pronounced dead.” DC police also shared in the statement that the 13-year old and 15-year-old female juveniles were arrested and charged with felony murder and armed carjacking with the use of a taser.
The case made national headlines because of the brazen attack by the girls and the senseless death afterward. People who viewed the video were also taken aback by one of the girl's responses right after the crash. As one of the teens climbs out of the flipped vehicle, she can be heard on video expressing concern over her phone that was left in the car.
Both the attack and the response of the girls afterward have led to national outrage with many voicing that the juvenile girls should be charged as adults. The reported plea deal will likely spark outrage as well.
DC Criminal Defense attorney Nikki Lotze shared with the local news outlet Fox 5 D.C., "In all kinds of ways in D.C at least, juveniles are treated differently." In Washington D.C. the laws revolving around juveniles generally focus on rehabilitation as opposed to incarceration.
A detective with the MPD shared with another local news outlet, WUSA9, that the two girls came to the Navy Yard station with the intention to carjack a vehicle. WUSA9 reports that one girl “blames the other girl for jamming the car in gear, swinging the steering wheel, and crushing Anwar to death, according to the detective.”
The 13-year-old cannot be charged as an adult, and prosecutors have not indicated whether or not they will try the 15-year-old as an adult. A GoFundMe that was set up for Anwar's family has reached more than $1 Million. His family shares, "Anwar was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend who always provided a smile when you needed one." They add, 'Words can not describe how our family is feeling currently. Devastation, confusion, shock, anger, heartache, and anguish are just a few that come to mind.”
According to the Metropolitan Police Department, There has been a surge in carjackings by young teens over the past year. As of March 23rd, the D.C. police department reported more than double the number of carjackings by children, many of whom are not of age to obtain a driver's license let alone a learner's permit. In 2019, 24 kids were arrested for carjacking. In 2020, the number almost tripled with 60 kids arrested.
Officials blame the pandemic for the sudden surge in carjackings by children. With schools closed and more kids staying home without proper supervision, there has been ample opportunity for kids to go out and commit crimes. Other voices explain that mask-wearing because of the pandemic has opened up the doors for prospective thieves.
A crime expert with the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, Chris Herrmann, explains, "If we weren't in a pandemic and you saw a guy coming up to your car with a mask on, you probably would freak out and hit the gas pedal. But nowadays, everyone's wearing masks. So there's this anonymity part of the pandemic that I think a lot of criminals are taking advantage of."
