On July 4, 2020, neighbors in San Francisco’s Bayview District were watching a fireworks show. Gunfire broke out nearby, and a bullet struck 6-year-old Jace Young.
Young was taken to the hospital and later died. Now, his father, Jason, is calling out San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin for upending the criminal justice system, which could allow one of Jace’s killers to potentially serve less jail time for the murder than Jace was alive.
Four gunmen were responsible for the shooting that took place on July 4, 2020. Two were quickly identified after the incident, according to Fox News: Deshaune Lumpkin, 17 at the time of the shooting, and 18-year-old James Harbor. But, the outlet reported, Harbor was arrested until six months later, on January 6, 2021. Lumpkin wouldn’t be arrested until August 11, 2021, more than a year after Jace’s death.
“Following a two-week hearing in juvenile court, Lumpkin, now 18, was found guilty Monday of four of the six counts against him related to the child’s Fourth of July killing,” Fox reported.
Jason, Jace’s father, said his family was “devastated” even with the verdict because Lumpkin would likely serve less than 6 years in prison for Jace’s murder. That’s because Boudin campaigned on never trying someone who commits a crime under the age of 18 as an adult no matter how serious the crime. That means Lumpkin can only be held a maximum of eight years – until his 25th birthday. With good behavior and parole, Lumpkin could be out of in prison in less time than his victim spent on Earth.
Harbor was 18 at the time of the crime, just months older than Lumpkin. He was tried as an adult and faces 50 years to life in prison for Jace’s death.
“I am so angry with Chesa Boudin right now. He makes San Francisco’s criminal justice system a complete joke,” Jason Young said in a statement distributed by a group attempting to recall Boudin. “The killer of my 6-year-old son will likely serve less time than the age of my son because of Chesa’s campaign promise. Boudin’s campaign promises do not protect San Franciscans and ensure justice – they only allow criminals, and in this case, murderers, to return to the community.”
“Some wonder why the Black community doesn’t have faith in the justice system,” the statement continued. “We cannot help but feel that if this had happened to a White child in another neighborhood, we would not be having this discussion; we would not have this result from a dismissive, out-of-touch district attorney. At the very least there would be some real accountability in Jace’s case.”
“As the cycle of violence continues in San Francisco, our family and everyone else affected by this senseless crime and lack of accountability is traumatized,” Young added. “To be a victim of crime in San Francisco is a complete nightmare under District Attorney Boudin. This is just another example of how he is failing our community and the city of San Francisco. This isn’t justice for Jace, and this isn’t what our city deserves either. No family should ever go through what we are going through.”