Michael Connor Verkerke

Michael Connor Verkerke (b. 14 March 2005 in Michigan; d. 4 August 2014 in Kentwood, Kent County, Michigan, USA) was a white American schoolboy who was murdered by a young black thug at a playground.

Life

Verkerke, son of Danielle "Dani" and Jared Verkerke, was a student at Excel Charter Academy, a member of Cub Scout Pack 3373 in Comstock Park, played soccer, and loved to dance and sing. He had three younger brothers: Kameron, Riley and Morgan. Connor's life had barely begun when it would end so tragically.

Death

Connor, as he was called, was playing at a neighborhood playground in Kentwood, near Grand Rapids, with one of his brothers and some other children when 12-year-old assailant Jamarion Lawhorn attacked him with an 8-inch blade in a completely unprovoked and vicious manner, stabbing the child in the neck and back and then quietly walked away. Verkerke ran back to his residence where he collapsed on a porch and paramedics were called. His father frantically put pressure on his wounds. Connor died an hour later at the hospital. The memorial service took place on 13 August 2014 at Cornerstone Church.

Killer (Jamarion Lawhorn)

Soon after the killing, Lawhorn – with his mother and stepfather at his side – said simply: “I stabbed him.” He told police he wanted to go to jail, or die. His stepfather interrupted: “So you just went and stabbed somebody?” The boy replied, “Yep.” [...] “Jamarion was asked to tell me more about the person he stabbed. He stated that he had never met him, or seen him before.” The boy did not know how many times he stabbed Connor. When asked if he was concerned about the victim, he said no.

Lawhorn was charged as an adult with first-degree murder. Jamarion Lawhorn was 13 years old when he had to face the consequences of his horrendous crime. His defense attorneys argued he was "legally insane" at the time of the murder, pointing to the abuse and trauma he suffered as a child. Lawhorn was found guilty. The judge handed down a "blended sentence": probation and eight years at "Muskegon River Youth Home", a "secure treatment and education facility", later renamed "Evart Youth Academy". A little more than six years after becoming Kent County's youngest killer, Jamarion Lawhorn was set free on 1 March 2021. The killer was released from court supervision on 6 January 2022.

Quotes

• “The entire community is in mourning over the loss of your beautiful child.” – Toni Spencer-Beatty of Grand Rapids

• “We are extremely saddened by the loss of your darling son Connor. … Heaven certainly has received a beautiful Angel!” – Bonnie and Denny Stearns of Jenison

• “My eyes cry for you and my heart hurts. Why, why, why? Please know others care and feel your pain.” – Barbara Deitz of Newaygo

• "It's hard to go through this, but he's in a better place, and we know that he doesn't want us to be sad all our life. We know he wants us to be happy, even though it's really hard to." – Brother Kameron (7) at the memorial service

• "I'll always love you" ~ Final words of 9 year old Michael 'Connor' Verkerke to his 7 year old brother, after being brutally stabbed to death by a 12 year old thug in a playground sandbox near Connor's home. On August 4, 2014, Michael Connor Verkerke was spending time with his little brother at the playground near his home when he was attacked by a stranger. 9-year-old Connor had never met the black child, 12-year-old Jamarion Lawhorn, but earlier in the day, Jamarion hid a knife in the sand at the playground; when he saw Connor and his brother playing, he came over, pulled the knife out of the sand, and stabbed Connor several times in the neck and back. Connor's little brother helped him back to the porch of their home, where he told the 7-year-old "it's not your fault" and "I'll always love you" as he bled to death. Jamarion was released from custody in early 2021, shortly before his 19th birthday. A 12 year old murderous thug spends 6 1/2 years in a juvenile country club, a 9 year old White child will never see his family again, never graduate from school, and never fall in love and get married. Justice was NOT served. – Dane (@UltraDane) at X.com on 5 August 2024