Confronting Racial Hatred: Attempted Murder Charges in Cape Cod Highlight Ongoing Struggle Against Racism

By Scotty T. Reid

A racially motivated incident involving a 14-year-old white boy has led to charges of attempted murder and assault with a dangerous weapon. The incident occurred on July 19th at a pond in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and it highlights the ongoing struggle against racism in our society.

In a Boston-area court on September 11th, John Sheeran, 14, appeared after being indicted by a grand jury for his alleged actions. It is essential to examine this case through an anti-racist lens, emphasizing the need to confront and address the underlying racism that played a significant role in the incident.

During the incident, it is reported that Sheeran used racial slurs against the victim, a 15-year-old Black teenager who could not swim and wore a life jacket for safety. This racial abuse is deeply troubling and should be acknowledged as a manifestation of racial hatred.

Two witnesses at the scene reported that Sheeran pushed the victim underwater repeatedly, despite knowing the victim’s need for a life jacket. Furthermore, another white youth present at the scene, who has not been charged, reportedly taunted the victim by calling him “George Floyd.” This callous reference to a tragic event serves as a stark reminder of the racially charged environment in which this incident occurred.

The victim also reported being subjected to stone-throwing and racial slurs, indicating a pattern of racial harassment and intimidation. Such actions perpetuate a hostile environment for marginalized individuals and communities.

It is crucial to hold individuals accountable for their actions, especially when those actions are driven by racial bias. Sheeran’s attorney has described the incident as “horseplaying” that “got out of control.” However, it is essential to recognize that such an explanation should not diminish the gravity of the charges. Attempted murder and racially motivated harassment cannot be dismissed as mere horseplay.

It is our collective responsibility to address racism at its roots and ensure that justice is served in this case. Following a bail hearing on Monday, a 14-year-old boy, John Sheeran, accused of attempting to murder a 15-year-old Black boy by drowning him in a Chatham pond, was released with a GPS monitoring device. Accompanied by his father, Sheeran left the hearing without uttering a word. He faces charges of Attempted Murder as a Youthful Offender, a classification that opens his court proceedings to the public and allows for the possibility of sentencing as an adult upon conviction.

We must continue to support efforts to combat racism in our communities and hold individuals accountable for their actions when they perpetuate harm based on race.