There was a gangsta rap video posted here a long time ago.
The thugs actually had a young boy in the video - essentially teaching him gangsta ways
Child abuse
That’s what I thought of, that this boy is being raised/taught/looked after/recruited, by gangs.
And they are teaching him about the criminal life.
I wonder if the 14 year old in SC had any money when he was in the store. If he had a gun, and no money, it could be he lost his nerve in a planned robbery. I’m guessing he was acting hinky, contemplating shoplifting, or worse. The store-owner had no doubt seen it before. No excuse for murder, but....