Terrorized victims of a baby-faced gangster who shot a little girl in the neck are breathing a sigh of relief after the 16-year-old from Oklahoma was jailed for 50 years.
Noah Ney was convicted as an adult for the 2022 shooting after the court was told he knows the difference between right and wrong but is “not amenable to treatment.”
The 4-foot-2 gunman was jailed Monday, two months after he staged a daring escape from a Tulsa juvenile detention center where he attacked staff, flooded his cell and smeared feces on the walls.
“I have treatment records in a package thicker than a dictionary that show he rejected treatment attempts, either by escaping or attacking staff who were there to help him,” said Assistant Tulsa County District Attorney Morgan Medders.
Ney already had a criminal record dating back to his high school days when he shot the five-year-old girl last April, in what court heard was an initiation into the city’s Hoover Crips gang.
Noah Ney, 16, admitted shooting the five-year-old, along with gun, drug, gang, theft and assault charges
The moment Ney was arrested at gunpoint three days after escaping over a fence from the Tulsa County Juvenile Justice Center
She was playing at her home on North Rockford Avenue when he drove by in a stolen car and fired a gun at the house, hitting her in the neck and shoulder.
“During the drive-by shooting, several people were in the line of fire,” Medders told the Tulsa District Court.
“The five-year-old girl was transported to hospital by EMSA due to the severity of her injuries and a difference of several centimeters in the penetrating gunshot wounds to the child could have led to her death.”
Ney was awaiting sentence for the shooting when he and another inmate climbed the fence of the Tulsa County Juvenile Justice Center and fled.
Graphic video of newson6.com shows the moment he was arrested at gunpoint outside a supermarket three days later after a tip-off from the public.
“We came around the corner between us and the Tulsa Police Department, surrounded him and were able to arrest him,” said Sergeant Scott Streeter of the Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office Warrants Unit.
“I think he was thinking about running away. He turned around, but everyone was on all sides of him, so he lay down on the ground and gave up.”
The court heard that both of Ney’s parents have criminal records and that his father has been repeatedly jailed.
Ney’s mother admitted that her son shows cruelty to both people and animals, but said she blamed herself for her son’s behavior.
His aunt said he had been neglected all his life, but the court was told Ney’s behavior had deteriorated during placements with both his aunt and grandmother.
“A neighbor testified that Noah caused havoc in the neighborhood by wearing gang colors and carrying guns and knives, often pulling them against neighbors while threatening them,” Medders said.
“Although several family members appeared at the certification hearing, those same people have been available to Noah throughout his extensive childhood history and that did not seem to make a difference.”
Ney was sentenced to 50 years after admitting 12 charges involving firearms, drugs, gangs, theft and assault.
The judge scheduled a judicial review of his sentence in 2028, when it could be reduced if he shows remorse and reforms.
But Ney’s former neighbors said they were happy to see him back.
“This could be the signal that more of our youth offenders need that when you commit the crime, you do your time!” wrote Ronnie Jo Bingham on Facebook.
“Is his mother being charged with neglect?” Tauny Knight asked.
“Old enough to commit crimes against adults,” wrote Debbie McAfee
“His age should not be taken into account when determining his sentence.”
Ney’s mother admitted that her son shows cruelty to both people and animals, but said she blamed herself for her son’s behavior
The little girl was playing in her home on North Rockford Avenue when he drove by in a stolen car and fired a gun at the house, hitting her in the neck and shoulder.
The judge said he has scheduled a judicial review of his sentence in 2028, where it could be reduced if he shows remorse and reforms
“Play big boy games. Get big boy awards,” Tim Ostin added.
Others expressed their condolences for the 90-pound wannabe gangster.
“Breaks my heart,” JamiLea Gifford wrote.
“This little boy played on the same team as my son in elementary school. He was so sweet then.’