In the summer of 2024, a 13-year-old boy was added to a private Signal group by a recruiter with a threatening username. Shortly after joining, he received a disturbing message asking, “Are you ready to murder someone?” Within hours, the group buzzed with new participants offering mentorship, assuring him of cash rewards and a sense of belonging. They downplayed the seriousness of his task, promising that after he committed a shooting, he would be sent to a specialized care facility. The communications escalated, featuring both enticing reassurances and veiled threats. On the day of the planned attack, the boy expressed panic as police approached, revealing that he had shot his target, who ultimately survived. Just 48 hours had elapsed between his initial recruitment and the incident. The boy was subsequently arrested but, due to his age, did not face conviction or sentencing, instead being placed under state care and social services supervision. Investigators believed he may have been drawn into criminal activity through social media platforms or encrypted apps, indicative of a broader trend where children as young as 12 are increasingly groomed for violent acts using sophisticated online tactics.
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