Memphis Teenager On Violent Kroger Mob Attack: ‘It’s Fun’

A Memphis teenager has described the September teen mob attack at a Kroger grocery store as “fun,” telling a reporter “That’s just what kids do.”

On September 6, a violent mob of Memphis teens randomly assaulted Kroger customers and employees, according to this Inquisitr report, in an incident that was captured on cell phone video. Although the victims were white, and most of the teens and adults in the violent mob were black, Memphis police did not classify the attack as a racially-motivated crime.

WREG (Memphis) reporter Katie Rufener recently interviewed two Memphis teens, who were identified only by nicknames, and asked them about the Kroger mob attack, as well as the problem of Memphis teen violence in general.

“The Kroger attack… That’s just what kids do, our generation, I mean.”

Memphis is plagued by youth and teen crime and violence, according to WMC (Memphis). Several high-profile incidents of youth violence have surfaced in Memphis in the past few months. Besides the Kroger mob attack, there were two related attacks on innocent motorists driving past after a football game, and last week, an 11-year-old youth was beaten at a junior high school.

The young men interviewed by the WREG reporter blamed the police, whom they referred to as a “government gang,” for the Memphis youth violence.

“To be honest the police make you want to do sh*t. I’m sorry for cussing, but the police make you want to do things, especially when you’re walking by and they bother you for no reason. Then when they’re not around, you feel like you should be rebellious.”

And as for the consequences of their actions, the men took a casual – almost flippant – attitude toward the idea of doing time in jail.

“Nobody cares about jail. You go in, and you get out. If you don’t get out, you’re in with people you know.”

According to CBS St. Louis, Memphis Mayor A C Wharton has his hands full with the Memphis youth violence problem, and his administration has proposed a variety of solutions, including banning Friday night football, transition programs for incarcerated youth and a summer jobs program. But the young men interviewed by WREG are having none of that.

“Why would I break my back for $300 every two weeks when I can make $300 a night off one serve? Speaking for the robbers, you can make that in a minute or two.”

What do you believe can be done about the problem of teen violence in Memphis and other cities?

[Image courtesy of: Joy 105]