BATTLE CREEK, Mich. — A 16-year-old, Justice Chimner, has been sentenced to 35 to 60 years in prison for his role in the deadly shooting of 17-year-old Jack Snyder during a carjacking on a bitterly cold night in February 2023. The sentencing, handed down by a Calhoun County judge on Monday, concludes a case that has stunned the Battle Creek community and raised questions about youth violence and accountability.
Chimner, who pleaded guilty to felony murder in December, was involved in a violent crime that unfolded when Snyder, a senior at Battle Creek Central High School, offered a ride to Chimner and another teenager, 13-year-old Dewond Estes III, who were walking in the cold. Despite the gesture of kindness, the situation quickly turned tragic when the two teens attempted to carjack Snyder, fatally shooting him twice in the process.
Snyder had been on his way home from his girlfriend’s birthday party when he encountered the teens. He reportedly asked if they needed a ride, offering assistance in the freezing temperatures. After accepting the ride, the two suspects turned on Snyder, shooting him before fleeing the scene. Snyder was found next to his car on Battle Creek Avenue and Capital Avenue, where he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The two suspects were apprehended shortly after the shooting. Estes, now 14, pleaded guilty to carjacking in October and was sentenced to a blended sentence, which includes time in a juvenile facility with quarterly reviews. While Estes’ involvement was clear, the case took another turn as investigators uncovered the role of a third individual, 20-year-old Marcus Parsons, who is accused of orchestrating the crime in exchange for money.
According to police reports, Chimner told investigators that earlier in the day, he had been contacted by someone asking him to steal a car in return for payment. Authorities later traced the Snapchat account linked to the request to Parsons, who faces multiple charges, including felony murder. Parsons is scheduled for a hearing later this month.
The case has raised difficult questions about the influence of social media and the ways in which vulnerable young people can become involved in dangerous activities. For the Snyder family, however, the pain remains immeasurable. The loss of a bright young man, whose only mistake was offering kindness to two strangers on a cold night, has left an indelible mark on the community.
With Chimner now sentenced, the focus remains on the broader implications of the crime, particularly as the justice system grapples with how to handle youthful offenders involved in violent acts. As the legal process continues for the remaining suspects, including Parsons, the Battle Creek community watches closely, hoping for answers and justice for the life that was tragically lost.
