Newburgh, New York – The family of Matthew Degroat, an 11-year-old boy fatally shot Oct. 9 in Newburgh, New York, has broken a long quiet following the tragedy. In their first public remarks, they extended gratitude to law enforcement, local authorities, and community anti-gun violence organizations — while pledging that Matthew’s life and memory will endure.
What We Know: Incident, Arrest, and Context
At approximately 8:17 a.m., police responded to a home on North Miller Street and found Matthew had suffered a lethal gunshot wound. Within hours, a 13-year-old boy was arrested and charged with second-degree murder. Court documents and law enforcement sources indicate the shooting may have been an act of retaliation linked to a previous incident involving Matthew’s older brother.
The firearm recovered at the scene was unregistered. Due to the suspect’s youth, his identity has been withheld by authorities, and the district attorney’s office has declined wider comment while the investigation continues.
Newburgh schools went into temporary lockdown following the incident, adding to the tension and grief in the local community.
The Family’s Message & Community Response
In their statement, Matthew’s family expressed deep thanks to the city’s police forces, as well as to SNUG (Should Never Use Guns), a statewide anti-gun violence initiative supported by public and private funding, for their outreach and support. “Matthew may be gone, but he will never be forgotten,” they affirmed.
Community reaction has been heartfelt and solemn. A local resident, Glenn Pugh, described Matthew in emotional terms: “He was the sweetest kid you’d ever want to meet … very well-mannered.” Neighbors have organized memorials with candles, flowers, and personal notes. Teachers, local clergy, and youth advocates have also begun outreach to children and families affected by the violence.
Many observers see this tragedy as part of a broader, disturbing trend: youth gun violence in suburban and smaller urban settings. Law enforcement officials, such as Orange County District Attorney David Hoover, have warned that juveniles often lack awareness of the irreversible consequences their actions can yield and may lack conflict-resolution skills.
What Comes Next
While the loss of a child is always a deeply personal tragedy, this case underscores broader societal challenges: growing concerns over underage access to firearms, the escalation of disputes among minors, and the effectiveness of preventive intervention programs like SNUG.
Matthew’s family’s call to preserve his memory, while also supporting community anti-violence efforts, offers a dual path forward: honoring a life lost and pushing for systemic changes that might prevent future ones.
As the investigation proceeds, the focus will also be on accountability, transparency, and community healing. In Newburgh and beyond, the story of Matthew Degroat may galvanize renewed attention to the risks young people face — and the urgent need for community, policy, and cultural responses to reduce such tragedies.
