June 26: Royce Dean Mathis, a homeless man from Gastonia, NC, was brutally murdered after stepping in on behalf of a younger boy engaged in an argument with three teens.

Crips gang members, Quentin O’Neal Woods, 15, Ithamar Ajalon Davis, 15, and Jamond Rashad Burney, 18, have been accused of the crime. Burney has specifically been accused of sneaking up behind Mathis and stabbing him in the neck. According to police, Mathis sustained injuries from a hunting-style knife and from being hit and kicked by the 15-year-olds.

The teens report that they wanted to teach Mathis a lesson because they thought he disrespected them by breaking up the verbal fight.

Richard Ervin Mize, a 47-year-old homeless friend of Mathis, was initially accused of the murder, and was released after spending 75 days in jail.

Davis will be charged with first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and malicious secret assault. Although Davis is only 15 years old, he will be charged as an adult.

Burney has also been charged with murder and malicious secret assault.

Woods made a plea deal with prosecutors, agreeing to testify against Davis and Burney.