A 17-year-old gang member from California, convicted of a double murder, is now facing new charges in connection with another homicide.

Shanice Dyer, a member of the East Coast Crips, was initially convicted for the murders of Alfredo Carrera and José Flores Velázquez in Los Angeles, which occurred five years ago.

The two victims, who were not involved in gang activity, were killed simply for standing in the gang’s territory, according to Fox 11.

Dyer was originally charged with premeditated murder by former Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey and was set to be tried as an adult.

However, when George Gascón took over as district attorney in 2020, Dyer was charged as a juvenile and spent less than four years in custody before being released.

Gascón, who has faced legal challenges and criticism for his lenient policies, made the decision to try Dyer as a juvenile, sparking outrage among many.

Now, Dyer is accused of aiding and abetting in the murder of 21-year-old Joshua Streeter, who was gunned down in a parking lot at the Indian Hill Mall Indoor Swap Meet in Pomona.

A statement from the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office expressed condolences for the victim’s family but defended the decision to try Dyer as a juvenile, noting that only one of five legal factors weighed in favor of transferring her case to adult court.

“Our heart breaks for the victim and his family. This is an unimaginable tragedy,” a spokesperson for Gascón’s office told Fox 11.

The statement explained that Dyer acted under the influence of adult men during the initial crime, lacked a serious criminal history at the time, and had opportunities for rehabilitation in the juvenile system.

Critics, however, point to Gascón’s policies as a major reason for Streeter’s death. Michele Hanisee, President of the Association of Deputy District Attorneys in Los Angeles County, condemned the handling of Dyer’s case and placed the blame for Streeter’s murder squarely on Gascón’s leniency. “Dyer, who should have been incarcerated for life, was free—thanks to Gascón’s policies—and now another family is grieving the loss of their loved one,” Hanisee said. “Streeter’s death could have been prevented, but Gascón’s commitment to releasing violent criminals like Dyer back onto the streets has once again resulted in tragedy.”

The case also highlights ongoing legal battles surrounding Gascón’s approach to criminal justice.

In 2021, a judge blocked his policy that prevented prosecutors from seeking longer sentences for repeat offenders under California’s Three Strikes Law, which mandates harsher penalties for individuals with prior felony convictions.

In 2022, Gascón faced a lawsuit from his own prosecutors, accusing him of promoting lenient sentencing guidelines that allegedly violated the law.

Gascón, who was backed by billionaire donor George Soros and supported by groups like Black Lives Matter during his 2020 election campaign, has repeatedly defended his reforms despite mounting opposition.

Image Credit: Law Enforcement Legal Defense Fund

A recall effort against Gascón in 2022 failed after officials ruled that not enough signatures were gathered to qualify the recall for the ballot.

Dyer’s case also comes after the establishment of the Juvenile Alternative Charging Evaluation Committee (JACE) in March 2022.

This committee evaluates whether juvenile offenders should be transferred to adult court.

Since its formation, JACE has approved 23 transfer requests, but only one case has resulted in a transfer to adult court, according to Fox 11.

As Dyer faces new charges, the debate over juvenile justice and criminal sentencing policies in Los Angeles County continues, with critics arguing that Gascón’s approach has allowed dangerous criminals to return to the streets, endangering public safety.

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