Antwain Dukes: Teen Tied To Almost A Dozen Crimes Including Homicidal Carjacking, His Mother’s Response Goes Viral

Antwain Dukes, 17, is facing capital murder charges for his alleged involvement in a carjacking that ended in homicide. According to WAPT, Dukes and two other teenage boys, identified as Antreal Jones, 18, and Jerome Moore, 17, have been tied to nearly a dozen robberies in the Belhaven area of Jackson, Mississippi.

Here is an excerpt of the Jackson Police Department’s “Crime Spree Timeline” report, published via the Clarion Ledger.

“Jan. 7, 2015

On Jan. 7, 2015, at approximately 6:45 p.m., Carolyn Temple was robbed and shot by two black male suspects on Euclid Drive.

Jan. 8, 2015

On Jan. 8, 2015, at 3:45 p.m., an Atmos Energy employee was robbed by a black male suspect who was riding in a maroon 4-door vehicle. The victim was able to positively identify Antwain Dukes as the suspect. Dukes will be charged with Armed Robbery in this case.

Jan. 10, 2015

On Jan. 10, 2015, at 1:30 a.m., a male and female were sitting in their car at Oakbrook Apartments on Old Canton Road in Ridgeland when they were approached by two black male suspects armed with handguns.

Jan. 12, 2015

On Jan. 12, 2015, at approximately 1:15 p.m., a male victim was carjacked on Woodside Drive. His 2004 Maroon Ford Explorer was taken at gunpoint by five armed males.

At 9:20 p.m., Carolyn Temple succumbed to her injuries at UMMC and died as a result of being shot during an armed robbery.

At 9:24 p.m., a male victim was carjacked at 1533 Raymond Road, Woodridge Apts. His 2005 Silver Chrysler 300 was taken at gun point by approximately three black male suspects.

At 10:44 p.m., a female victim was carjacked at 5600 Keele Street, Cedarstone Apts. Her 1999 Brown Jeep Cherokee was taken at gun point by approximately three black male suspects.

January 13, 2015

At 1:30 a.m., a female victim was carjacked at the Rainbow Grocery Store, 2804 Old Canton Road. Her 2011 White KIA Sorrento was taken at gun point by 3 black male suspects who were also observed by the victim in a Silver Chrysler 300.

At 3:25 a.m., at Mayfield Oil Convenience Store on Highway 49 in Yazoo City, a female victim was robbed and assaulted by three to five black male suspects while delivering newspapers. The complainant reported a Silver Chrysler 300 and a White KIA Sorrento as being the suspect vehicles.

At 5:28 a.m. a female victim reported an attempted carjacking by approximately four black male suspects in the 3856 Noble Drive, Cameron Park Apts. The suspects were reportedly operating a Silver Chrysler 300 and a Brown Jeep Cherokee.

At 6:28 a.m., a male victim was driving out of the Regions Bank parking lot on North State Street when a Silver Chrysler 300 and a White KIA Sorrento attempted to block him in.

At 7:05 a.m., a female victim was carjacked in the 900 block of Bellevue Pl. by two black male suspects who were armed.”

The three young men recently appeared alongside public defenders. However, they reportedly showed little remorse for their actions. Although Dukes’ actions are quite appalling, his mother’s shocking response to his criminal background has left many bemused. During a recent news interview, Shronda Burns made a jaw-droppingly controversial statement that has sparked a big debate.

Here’s what she had to say.

“My son ain’t going to shoot no gun. Now, I’m not saying that he wouldn’t rob nobody, but I know he won’t shoot no gun. Every police (officer) up in there knows him. My son is known for house burglary. That’s all his charges when he was going to the detention center was house burglary.”

The shocking statement has many readers arguing whether or not bad parenting contributed to the teen’s lack of regard for people’s property and human life. Some have even accused Burns of belittling the severity of her son’s actions, as if robbery isn’t a serious crime. However, there were some readers who actually defended Burns, commending her honesty in regards to her son’s faults.

“No doubt that bad parenting sometimes plays a part in troubled kids. Sometimes it’s good parenting in bad circumstances, but kids with bad parents don’t have much of a chance.”

“I want to know who’s accountable for those mothers that know their kids are out there breaking the law and condoning it.”

“Strange response from the mother? I don’t think so. There is nothing in that mother’s comments that indicate bad parenting. bad parenting? Nothing her delivery that indicated Class prejudices? In fact, she was trying to be honest about her son’s fault. It is sad that this website would build on the news media already salant view (they said twice that the mother was very emotional, when she wasn’t.”

“OMG, REALLY???? So its okay for him to rob people? Even though you know that he will not shoot no Gun, Mama? This makes me mad! Innocent life taken for no reason at all…..”

In addition to the homicidal carjacking that claimed the life of Carolyn Temple, the Jackson Police Department stated that the three teens are also being investigated for seven other carjacking and armed robbery incidents that occurred in a matter of hours following Temple’s carjacking. Ridgeland Police Lt. John Neal classified the string of crimes as a “criminal rampage” that lasted for nearly a week. Although no motive has been established, local authorities suspect the crimes are gang related.

“This same area neighborhood group of guys all know each other,” Lt. Neal said. “They were just on a crime spree together. I don’t know if they are members (of a gang) already and this is just part of their daily life or if they’re going though some type of initiation.”

What do you think about the mother’s statement? Share your thoughts.

[Image via Jackson Police Department]