6 days ago
Little boy, 7, is kidnapped at gunpoint as horrific act is caught on camera
A seven-year-old Wisconsin boy was kidnapped at gunpoint in a horrifying abduction that was caught on film.
Jamal White was riding his bike near his home in Milwaukee when two armed suspects in a white Jeep Renegade blocked his family's driveway and forcibly took him.
The video, released by authorities, shows the terrifying moment when the suspects exit their vehicle - one holding a gun and chasing after Jamal's father, while the other grabs the young boy and drags him into the car.
'I'm glad he's OK, but it's kind of like, I feel like I still can't rest because who would do something like this to a seven-year-old?' Simone White, Jamal's aunt, said in an interview with WISN 12 News.
The boy's abduction prompted a statewide Amber Alert, setting off a desperate search that lasted nearly 24 hours.
Police eventually found Jamal safe Saturday evening at a home about seven miles from the scene of the kidnapping.
'We literally cannot thank the community enough because I genuinely feel like if it wasn't for everybody just caring about this seven-year-old boy, we probably would not have found him,' Simone said, expressing gratitude for the public's swift response.
Police have arrested 25-year-old Corey Gabriel Williams in connection with the kidnapping.
Williams has been charged with kidnapping, taking hostages, and contributing to the delinquency of a child. A teenager, whose name has not been released, was also arrested in connection with the crime, WTMJ reported.
According to the criminal complaint, Williams and the teen initially intended to rob Jamal's mother, whom they believed had a large sum of money from drug dealing.
When they arrived at her house and found she wasn't there, they then turned their attention to Jamal's father, who was outside with his young son.
Armed with guns, the suspects forced Jamal into their vehicle and sped off.
Later, Williams and the teen allegedly contacted Jamal's mother, demanding $100,000 and jewelry in exchange for her son's safe return. They arranged a meeting in a park, but she never showed up, WTMJ reported.
Jamal later told police that he overheard the suspects speaking to his mother on the phone, telling her they would bring him back - only for her to never appear.
The kidnappers eventually realized that the Amber Alert was in full effect, and in an apparent attempt to avoid detection, the teen and another individual left Jamal with Williams, who hid in his attic while police closed in on the house.
Jamal was found unharmed in a bedroom.
In a bizarre twist, Jamal's uncle, 27-year-old Jamel K. White, was also arrested - not for the kidnapping, but for allegedly firing a gun during the search for his nephew.
According to the criminal complaint, White fired shots toward a man and his son who were assisting in the search, hitting an unoccupied house and a tree.
White now faces two felony charges of first-degree recklessly endangering safety with a dangerous weapon. Authorities say White later admitted to hiding a Glock pistol in a wooded area near the scene of the shooting.
Williams now faces multiple charges related to the kidnapping, including kidnapping, taking hostages, and contributing to the delinquency of a child.
If convicted, he could face up to 130 years in prison. Police are still investigating the case, including whether there was any connection between the suspects and Jamal's family.
Jamal, who was released to Child Protective Services following his rescue, remains with CPS, though his family hopes for a reunion.
'We don't have any answers, and I feel like that is what is bothering the family a lot. I feel like a lot of us are unsettled,' Jamal's aunt told WISN 12.
In a post on Facebook following his son's kidnapping, Jamal White Sr. defended his reaction to flee from the armed suspects rather than come to the defense of his son
Additional reports also allege that Jamal's mother, Shavon Williams, has been arrested with 'charges pending' just days after her son was abducted at gunpoint
In a post on Facebook following his son's kidnapping, Jamal White Sr. defended his reaction to flee from the armed suspects rather than come to the defense of his son.
'Hell yeah I ran,' he wrote, adding, 'I'm thinking they tryna rob me not take my damn baby. Y'all slow we both alive n my baby tried to get away like I taught 'em. God had us the whole time obviously did right my baby safe!'
However, online critics have launched a fiery attack on the defensive dad.
'Your son gone beat on you when he get older and find out what you did buddy,' one user wrote.
'Bro you ran in the house and slammed the door,' a second wrote.
'I mean did you at least jog after the car?' a third asked.
Additional reports also allege that Jamal's mother, Shavon Williams, has been arrested with 'charges pending' just days after her son was abducted at gunpoint.
But, White Sr. has hit back, claiming those allegations are not true
Social media users have since speculated that the Milwaukee-based couple 'staged the kidnapping' with an incentive to receive money in the search of the missing boy.
'Remember the little boy Jamal White that was kidnapped over the weekend and found well. Guess what allegedly? His parents created this false kidnapping so that they can raise money on GoFundMe,' one Facebook user alleged.
Another wrote: 'So allegedly the parents of Jamal White came up with the idea of kidnapping their son so they could start a GoFund Me, once they got enough from the GoFund me they apparently was gone mysteriously find him.'
But, White Sr. has hit back, claiming those allegations are not true.
'First I set it up, then my brother kidnapped my son, now I'm wrong for leaving my son. I know fucked up y'all ain't gotta tell me. My son good though. Y'all wanted to paint every picture of me to be the bad guy, I can't win with y'all but I won with my kid. Remember this the internet,' he wrote on Facebook.
