Deadly Crofton Beating Raises Teen Gangs Concerns

Public Meeting Tonight

We have received e-mails from our viewing audience, showing how people who aren't connected to Crofton or the young victim are still affected by this story.  Tonight a public meeting will be held to discuss the crime. 

Yesterday evening, nearly 1500 people attended a viewing for Christopher Jones. The 14-year-old died Saturday after he was punched while riding his bike and fell to the ground, hitting his head.

Police and family say Jones was the target of bullying and perhaps the suspects were retaliating after a recent dispute.

His parents suspected gang activity at Arundel High School, so that is why he transferred to South River High. But they never imagined a bike ride in his Crofton community would end his life.

“I think if people would stop and take a little more time with their children then things would not be the way they are,” said David Jones, the victim’s father.

“If it wasn’t for my daughter, I wouldn’t want to be here. He was the light of my life,” said Jenny Adkins, the victim’s mother.

The letters “ESD” are written on playground equipment in Crofton. The group calls itself "East Side Diamonds," while another group calling itself "TNT" or "The New Treat" has emerged as its rival.

Two suspects with apparent ties to those groups face manslaughter charges. One of them was a freshman alongside Jones before he switched schools.

Anne Arundel County Police and the school board will talk about the procedure of dealing with violence in schools at 7 p.m. tonight.  The public meeting will be held at the Walden Golf Club, located at 1500 Reidel Road.