List of youngest killers explained

This is a list of youngest killers, i.e. the youngest people confirmed by reliable sources to have deliberately killed another human being. Individuals in this list are documented to be age 17 or younger.

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Younger than age 13

NameDate of birthDate of killing(s)Age at time of killing(s)LocationCountryKilledInjuredPenalty of perpetrator(s)Current status of perpetrator(s)Ref.
Unnamed boy?December 30, 18923GolDeceased[1]
Ms. Ziapasa1902–1903April 12, 19063Benwood, West VirginiaNot charged due to her age.Deceased[2]
Retta McCabe1892–1893October 30, 18974Troy, New YorkNot charged due to her age.Deceased[3] [4]
Unnamed boy?October 19244-5RyfylkeUnknown[5]
Unnamed girl?April 18985NaplesDeceased[6]
Carl Newton MahanSeptember 22, 1922May 18, 19296 years, 7 months and 26 daysPaintsville, Johnson County, KentuckyArrested, sentenced to 15 years in reform school, but did not serve a sentence after the judge reviewed the caseDeceased[7]
Unnamed boy1993February 29, 20006Buell Elementary School, Mount Morris Township, MichiganHe could not be legally charged with murder because of his age.Unknown[8]
Lizzie Cook1892–1893February 27, 18996Birmingham, AlabamaDeceased[9]
Unnamed boy?June 2, 19106OsloUnknown[10]
Unnamed boyJanuary 2014January, 20227Nixon, TexasCould not be criminally charged due to his ageSent to a psychiatric hospital.[11]
Virginia Hudson?July 23, 18877Granville, South CarolinaArrested and charged with murderDeceased[12]
Robert Robertson?19087Launceston, TasmaniaArrested and charged with murderDeceased[13]
Unnamed Boy1986-1987 July 8, 19958La Ronge, SaskatchewanNot charged due to his age. 14 year old Sandy Charles was found not guilty by reason of insanity.Unknown[14] [15]
Amarjeet Sada19982006–20078Begusarai, BiharArrested and taken into custodyUnknown[16] [17]
Carroll ColeMay 9, 193819468Richmond, CaliforniaThe murder was not discovered until he later confessed; he murdered at least 15 more victims during adulthood. He was executed by lethal injection on December 6, 1985Deceased
Unnamed girl?18678Cassville, MissouriFound insaneDeceased[18]
Unnamed boyc. 2006February 7, 20148Padre Hurtado ChileNot charged due to his age.Unknown[19]
Patrick Knowles?May 19038Stockton-on-Tees, EnglandArrested, sentenced to detention at His Majesty's pleasure; served 9 years in prisonDeceased[20] [21] [22] [23]
Christian RomeroDecember 29, 1999November 5, 20088 years, 10 months and 7 daysSt. Johns, ArizonaThe charge for the killings was dropped, and he was sentenced to an indefinite stay in a youth treatment center near Phoenix. He later moved to a group home and then a foster homeReleased[24] [25]
Mary Cooper?18859Richmond, VirginiaArrestedDeceased[26]
Unnamed boy?May 6, 20199Fawn River Township, MichiganThe charge for the killings was droppedReleased[27]
Kyle Alwood?April 6, 20199Goodfield, IllinoisCharged with murder.In custody[28]
Cayetano Santos GodinoOctober 31, 1896March 29, 1906 – December 3, 19129 years, 4 months and 29 days – 16 years, 1 month and 3 daysBuenos AiresThe first murder was not discovered until he later confessed; in 1912 (aged 15–16) he killed three other victims; he was arrested several times, and the last one was between 1912 and 1944Deceased[29]
Unnamed boy2011–2012September 202210Haicheng Township, HeilongjiangArrested along with a few of his friends who encouraged him to do itUnknown[30]
William York1738May 13, 174810SuffolkSentenced to death and later pardonedDeceased[31]
Hubbard Harrell?February 2, 188810Longview, near Eastman, GeorgiaUnknownDeceased[32]
James Osmansonc. 1983–1984April 12, 199410Butte, MontanaWas not sent to jail but received treatment at a residential facility.Released
Joseph Mcvay2000January 2, 201110Big Prairie, OhioHeld in a youth facility to be sentenced when he is 21-years-oldIncarcerated[33]
Unnamed girl?September 18, 201010Sandy Springs, GeorgiaArrested and charged with murder[34]
Jane Walker?188610Orangeburg, South CarolinaArrested and charged with murderDeceased[35]
James Arcenec. 1862?10Fort Gibson, OklahomaArrested and sentenced to deathExecuted on June 18, 1885
Robert Thompson and Jon VenablesAugust 23, 1982, and August 13, 1982February 12, 1993Thompson: 10 years, 5 months and 20 days
Venables: 10 years, 5 months and 30 days
Liverpool, MerseysideBoth arrested, sentenced to 10 years in prison; were released in 2001 after serving eight yearsReleased
Unnamed boy?August 21, 201310Broadview, SaskatchewanArrested; could not be criminally charged because he was a childIn the custody of the province[36] [37]
George Greenc. 1839October 26, 184910Kawartha Lakes, OntarioSentenced to death at age 11, sentence later commuted to life in prison at Kingston PenDied at Kingston Pen on August 21, 1852[38]
Joseph HallJune 19, 2000May 1, 201110 years, 10 months and 12 daysRiverside, CaliforniaArrested and sentenced to imprisonment until he reaches the age of 23Incarcerated
Mary BellMay 26, 1957May 25 – July 31, 196810 years and 364 days – 11 years, 1 month and 7 daysScotswood, Newcastle upon TyneArrested, sentenced to detention at Her Majesty's pleasure; served 12 years in prison; accomplice Norma Joyce Bell (no relation) was acquitted after found that she took no part in the actual murdersReleased
Anton Wood1881November 189211Denver, ColoradoSentenced to 25 years to life in prisonDeceased[39]
Nellie Corneilson?January 15, 190211Wichita, KansasArrested and later sent to live with family memberDeceased[40]
Nathaniel AbrahamJanuary 19, 1986October 29, 199711 years and 9 monthsDetroit, MichiganArrested and imprisoned until his 21st birthday; went back to prison for more crimes committed in adulthoodIncarcerated[41] [42] [43] [44] [45] [46]
Andrew GoldenMay 25, 1986March 24, 199811 years, 9 months and 27 daysWestside Middle School, Craighead County, ArkansasArrested, along with accomplice Mitchell Johnson, imprisoned until his 21st birthdayDeceased
Unnamed girlc. 1992–1993June 1, 200411Sasebo, Nagasaki PrefectureArrested/Institutionalized. Name undisclosed to public due to legal reason.
Unnamed boy 2004January 27, 201611Perth, AustraliaSentenced to four years detention with the opportunity of early release on supervised parole.Released
Nathan Farisc. 1974–1975March 2, 198712De Kalb, MissouriDied by suicideDeceased[47]
Unnamed boyc. 1987–1988January 200012BristolArrested[48] [49]
Piedad Martínez del Águila1953December 4, 1965, to January 4, 196612MurciaArrested/InstitutionalizedUnknown[50] [51] [52]
Mary Maher?August 21 – September 8, 190612Dunkitt, County KilkenyDied by suicideDeceased[53]
Jose ReyesJuly 2, 2001October 21, 201312 years, 3 months and 19 daysSparks Middle School, Sparks, NevadaDied by suicideDeceased
Lionel TateJanuary 30, 1987July 28, 199912 years, 5 months and 28 daysBroward County, FloridaArrested and originally sentenced to Life without parole which was reduced to one year's house arrest and 10 years' probation and was sent back to prison for violating his probation and committing armed robbery and sentenced to 30 years imprisonment with a 10-year sentence to run concurrentlyIncarcerated
Christopher PittmanApril 9, 1989November 28, 200112 years, 7 months and 19 daysChester, South CarolinaArrested and originally sentenced to 30 years to life in prison which was reduced to 25 years on appealReleased
Hannah Ocuish (guilt disputed)[54] [55] March 1774July 21, 178612 years and 9 monthsNew London, ConnecticutSentenced to deathExecuted on December 20, 1786
Evan Drake Savoie and Jake Lee EakinNovember 14, 1990 (Eakin), October or November 1990 (Savoie)February 15, 2003Both 12Ephrata, Washington14 years in prison (Eakin), 26 years in prison reduced to 20 years after appeal (Savoie)Both released
Jasmine Richardsonc. 1993–1994April 23, 200612Medicine Hat, AlbertaArrested and sentenced to 10 years imprisonmentReleased
Chen2006December 2, 201812Yuanjiang, HunanReleased[56]
Curtis Fairchild JonesMay 31, 1986January 6, 199912Port St. John, FloridaSentenced to 17 years in prison along with his 13-year-old sister Catherine for murderReleased[57]
Unnamed boy?September 29, 201912São PauloSentenced to 3 years in prisonIncarcerated[58] [59]
Alex King1989November 26, 200112Cantonment, FloridaKilled his father. Arrested along with his accomplice, his older brother Derek (age 13), and sentenced to 7 years in prison.Deceased[60] [61]
Danny Charles Preddie1988November 27, 200012LondonArrested along with his accomplice, his older brother Ricky, and sentenced to 8 years in prison.Released in 2011
Unnamed boy?October 18, 201912CuritibaTemporarily detained for 45 daysIncarcerated[62] [63] [64]
Howard Lang1935October 18, 194712Chicago, IllinoisArrested, sentenced to 22 years in prison after first trialAcquitted on appeal in second trial after being judged too young to be responsible for his actions; released under supervision.[65] [66] [67]
Edwin Debrow1979September 21, 199112San Antonio, TexasArrested, sentenced to 27 years in prison.Released in 2019[68] [69] [70] [71] [72]
Terrence Darron SampsonMarch 23, 1977December 2, 198912Round Rock, TexasArrested, sentenced to 30 years in prison.Released in 2019
Bailey Junior KurarikiMay 15, 1989September 12, 200112Papakura, AucklandArrested, sentenced to 7 years in prison.Released in 2008
Juan Manuel Cardenas Jr. 1977December 18, 198912Orange, CaliforniaSentenced to 1 year in jailReleased in 1991

Notes and References

  1. News: January 5, 1893 . . . 57 . 3 . 2 . Et 3 Aars gammelt Barn dræber sin Søster. . A Three-year Old Child Kills Own Sister. . Norwegian.
  2. News: April 13, 1906 . Baby Kills a Baby . 7 . The Charlotte Observer . live . March 5, 2023 . http://web.archive.org/web/20230305000000/https://newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn91068257/1906-04-13/ed-1/seq-7/ . March 5, 2023. Alt URL
  3. Web site: Marin Journal 27 January 1898 — California Digital Newspaper Collection . August 10, 2022 . cdnc.ucr.edu.
  4. News: 1897-10-31 . HERE IS A BABY JEKYLL AND HYDE . 37 . New York journal and advertiser .
  5. News: October 17, 1924 . . 32 . 242 . 6 . En sørgelig tildragelse . A sorrowful occurrence . Norwegian.
  6. News: April 29, 1898 . . 8 . 120 A . 2 . Mærkeligt Drab . Peculiar Killing . Norwegian.
  7. Web site: Carl Newton Mahan Shot His Friend . Inside Edition . CBS interactive . November 25, 2019.
  8. News: Michigan first-grader fatally shot by classmate . CNN.com . Garsten . Ed . July 8, 2007 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20080103013335/http://archives.cnn.com/2000/US/02/29/school.shooting.04/ . January 3, 2008.
  9. News: March 3, 1899 . Child Murderess Deliberately Burns Her 2-year-old Brother to Death . August 10, 2022.
  10. News: June 2, 1910 . . 92 . 303 . 2 . Et Revolverdrama. . A Revolver Drama. . Norwegian.
  11. Web site: 'We're looking for answers' | 10-year-old Texas boy linked to 2022 killing, according to officials . 19 April 2024 .
  12. News: July 26, 1887 . A VERY YOUNG MURDERESS. . en-US . The New York Times . August 10, 2022 . 0362-4331.
  13. News: The Child Murderer. Accused Boy in Court . Launceston . June 25, 1908.
  14. http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Boy+of+14+saw+horror+movie+10+times...now+he's+on+trial+for+the...-a061157029 Boy of 14 saw horror movie 10 times...now he's on trial for the killing that shook a nation; 'He stabbed victim, 7, and boiled his flesh'.
  15. https://apnews.com/440bd7df21af1ca6f1e4d1554d97979a Youth Killed and Skinned Young Playmate, Court Hears
  16. News: Ramesh . Randeep . June 1, 2007 . Eight-year-old boy accused of three murders . . en-GB . October 15, 2019.
  17. Web site: Born to Be Vile? What turns on the 'serial killer' switch? . Katherine. Ramsland . . February 16, 2014.
  18. News: July 29, 1867 . Young Murderress deliberately shoots brother . The Evening Star . August 10, 2022.
  19. News: February 8, 2014. Un niño de ocho años mató a su primo de siete por una tablet: le dio 47 puñaladas. SoyChile . July 15, 2024.
  20. Web site: Home Office. Patrick Knowles, criminal lunatic for murder: Removal under discharge from .
  21. Web site: The Child Criminal (13 June 1903): The Spectator Archive.
  22. Web site: Horrific murder of baby buried alive in Stockton by child killer . gazettelive.co.uk . May 12, 2019 .
  23. Web site: British Newspaper Archive. British Newspaper Archive.
  24. News: Burgoyne . Lauren . November 10, 2008 . 8-Year-old charged with two counts of first-degree murder . KOLD . Gray Television, Inc. . October 15, 2019.
  25. News: Fonseca . Felicia . December 26, 2017 . St. Johns boy killed his father when he was 8. Now his probation is ending as he turns 18 . www.azcentral.com . October 15, 2019.
  26. News: April 1, 1885 . A Youthful murderess: A Boy of Seven Hanged by a Female Cousin of Eight Years Old . The Fairfield News and Herald . August 10, 2022.
  27. Web site: May 13, 2019 . Mom Feared 9-Year-Old Son Who Shot Her to Death Would Become 'Serial Killer,' Daughter Says . Inside Edition . November 7, 2019.
  28. Web site: October 9, 2019. 9-year-old charged with murder in 5 Illinois fire deaths. November 20, 2020. AP NEWS.
  29. News: January 5, 2018 . El verano en el que "El Petiso Orejudo" se transformó en el primer asesino serial del país . Clarín . Arte Gráfico Editorial Argentino S.A. . The summer in which "The Macrotous Runt" became the first serial killer in the country . es . October 13, 2019.
  30. Web site: 10-year-old boy arrested in China for choking his grandmother to death . September 14, 2022 .
  31. Web site: WILLIAM YORK . The Newgate Calendar . April 6, 2019.
  32. News: A TRIPLE MURDER . 6 October 2023 . The Dodge County Journal . The Daily Transcript . February 6, 1888.
  33. Web site: Holmes County boy admits killing mom in fight over chores . The Columbus Dispatch . Gannett Co., Inc. . November 25, 2019 . en . June 12, 2013.
  34. Web site: October 3, 2010 . Babysitter Charged In Toddler's Murder Is 10, Not 11 . August 10, 2022 . Juvenile Justice Information Exchange . en-US.
  35. News: June 3, 1886 . A Ten-year-Old Murderess. . The Chimes and Democrat . August 10, 2022.
  36. News: Suspect in Saskatchewan six-year-old's death is under 12 and can't be charged: RCMP . September 3, 2013 . The Globe and Mail . November 1, 2019.
  37. News: April 17, 2015 . Lee Bonneau inquest: 'Heartbreaking' case, coroner says . CBC . November 1, 2019.
  38. Web site: Duhaime . Lloyd . October 7, 2011 . 1850, 11-Year Old Sentenced to Death . duhaime.org . October 13, 2019.
  39. Web site: Anton Woode, 11 year-old psychopath almost hanged for murder, 1892. www.historicalcrimedetective.com.
  40. News: Clipped from the Wichita Eagle. The Wichita Eagle. January 17, 1902. 6.
  41. News: Michigan Boy Who Killed at 11 Is Convicted of Murder as Adult . Bradsher . Keith . November 17, 1999 . The New York Times . April 6, 2019 . en-US . 0362-4331.
  42. News: Michigan judge sentences boy killer to juvenile detention. January 13, 2000 . CNN. December 1, 2020. en-US.
  43. Web site: Nathaniel Abraham sent back to prison for dealing drugs.
  44. Web site: Offender Tracking Information System (OTIS) - Offender Profile. mdocweb.state.mi.us.
  45. Web site: Nathaniel Abraham, convicted of murder at 13, now locked up for drugs. www.theoaklandpress.com . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20210203151524/https://www.theoaklandpress.com/news/nathaniel-abraham-convicted-of-murder-at-13-now-locked-up-for-drugs/article_ba6c0cf2-980b-11e9-b67d-d35c3ad5b738.html . February 3, 2021.
  46. Web site: Nathaniel Abraham headed back to prison on drug charges. June 25, 2019.
  47. News: US School Violence Fast Facts . December 17, 2018 . CNN . Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. . April 6, 2019.
  48. News: Carter . Helen . February 12, 2001 . Boy, 13, killed baby after row with mother . The Guardian . Guardian News & Media Limited . en-GB . November 2, 2019.
  49. News: February 12, 2001 . Autistic boy killed baby brother . BBC News . en-GB . November 2, 2019.
  50. Web site: Rada . Juan . Piedad, la niña de 12 años que envenenó a sus cuatro hermanos harta de cuidarlos . December 4, 2016 . El Español . El León de El Español Publicaciones S.A. . es-ES . Piedad, the 12-year-old girl who poisoned her four brothers fed up with taking care of them . April 6, 2019.
  51. Web site: Fernández . Ricardo . Piedad creó cuatro ángeles . March 24, 2013 . La Verdad . La Verdad Multimedia, S.A. . es . Piedad created four angels . April 6, 2019.
  52. Web site: Sonrisas envenenadoras . June 2, 2002 . Memba . Javier . El Mundo . Poisonous smiles . April 6, 2019.
  53. News: January 10, 1907 . 11-year-old Murderess: Irish child kills three of her sisters . Evening News . August 10, 2022.
  54. Web site: Suess . Jessica . The Heinous Execution of Hannah Ocuish, Aged 12, by the State of Connecticut . 2023-07-25 . OddFeed . 17 February 2023 . en-US.
  55. Web site: Florin . Karen . March 7, 2020 . Centuries-old murder case to be revisited in New London . 2022-07-05 . The Day . en-US.
  56. News: 12-Year-Old in China Kills His Mother, Then Returns to School, Igniting an Outcry . Qin . Amy . December 14, 2018 . The New York Times . April 6, 2019 . en-US . 0362-4331.
  57. News: Torres . John A. . July 28, 2015 . Jailed at 12, youngest convicted killer now free at 29 . USA Today . Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. . October 13, 2019.
  58. News: Galvão . César . October 1, 2019 . Adolescente confessa ter matado menina de 9 anos na Zona Norte de SP, diz polícia . G1 . Globo Comunicação e Participações S.A. . Teen confesses to kill 9-year-old girl in the Northern Zone of São Paulo, says police . pt . October 2, 2019.
  59. News: November 7, 2019 . Caso Raíssa: Justiça condena adolescente acusado de matar menina por feminicídio e estupro de vulnerável . G1 . Globo Comunicação e Participações S.A. . Raíssa Case: Justice condemns teenager accused of killing girl for femicide and vulnerable rape . pt . November 8, 2019.
  60. News: King brothers guilty of killing their father . September 9, 2002 . CNN . Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. . October 30, 2019.
  61. Keating . Caitlin . Smolowe . Jill . October 21, 2013 . Life After Murder . People . Meredith Corporation . October 30, 2019.
  62. News: Villa . Mirian . October 21, 2019 . Marido de idosa morta a facadas por criança descreve momento do ataque . RIC Mais . Rádio e Televisão Record S.A. . Husband of elderly woman stabbed to death by child describes time of attack . pt . December 6, 2019.
  63. News: October 22, 2019 . Menino de 12 anos diz que matou vizinha porque ela flagrou furto . RIC Mais . Rádio e Televisão Record S.A. . 12-year-old boy says he killed neighbor because she caught him doing the theft . pt . December 6, 2019.
  64. News: October 22, 2019 . GAROTO DE 12 ANOS É APREENDIDO APÓS MATAR IDOSA A FACADAS NO PARANÁ . Primeiro Impacto . SBT . 12-YEAR-OLD BOY IS APPREHENDED AFTER STABBING ELDERLY WOMAN TO DEATH IN PARANÁ . pt . December 6, 2019.
  65. "LANG ACQUITTED BY JUDGE IN 2D MURDER TRIAL: State Plans New Move to Confine Him", Chicago Daily Tribune, April 27, 1949. p. 7.
  66. News: 13-YEAR-OLD KILLER BAFFLES STUDENTS OF SOCIAL SCIENCE . Wilmington Daily Press Journal . July 10, 1948 . Chicago . 3 . . October 29, 2019 . limited.
  67. Web site: SEDUCTION OF THE INNOCENT: Children and Crime | The-Solute. www.the-solute.com.
  68. Web site: Convicted of Murder at Age 12, Edwin Debrow Finally Walks Free – Texas Monthly. September 6, 2019.
  69. Web site: 12-year-old Killer Dallas Observer. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20160630102309/http://www.dallasobserver.com/news/12-year-old-killer-6390714. June 30, 2016.
  70. Web site: 'SICK LITTLE MONSTER,' 12, GETS 32 YEARS FOR MURDER – Orlando Sentinel . 28 February 1992 .
  71. Web site: Nearly 30 Years After Murder Conviction, Man Begins Quest For New Life. spectrumlocalnews.com.
  72. Web site: The School Shooting That Austin Forgot – Texas Monthly. March 18, 2020.