MESA, Ariz. — The life of crime and violence started early for former gang member Eric Hebert.
At just 14 years old Hebert joined his first gang in Illinois. Even after his family moved to the east Valley, he still sought out gang activity.
“I just really wasn't watched," Hebert said. "I kind of ran the streets as a kid and I didn't have supervision."
VERSIÓN EN ESPAÑOL: Expandillero habla sobre la violencia entre adolescentes y los ‘Gilbert Goons’
Hebert didn't want to name what gang he was in other members out of safety concerns for his family. He did talk about what happened while he was in the gang though.
"We would just kind of terrorize the town really. We were looking to get into fights, we were looking to you know, rob people, do burglaries," he said.
The deeper he became involved in the gang, the more the violence and the urge to engage in it grew.
"Eventually it led to wanting to hurt wanting to hurt people worse," Hebert said. "As hard as it is for me to say when I was that kid, I just, I was looking for somebody to hurt."
It caught up with him. At 18, Hebert was arrested and sentenced to 18 years in prison for attempted murder.
“They dropped the hammer down on me,” he said
In prison, while enduring a 23-hour lockdown in a cell, Hebert said he joined another gang. He said it was much more serious and much more violent.
What finally made him want to make a drastic change in his life is when he learned his mom was arrested in connection to gang activities he was involved in. Hebert remembers seeing his mom in handcuffs and wearing a striped uniform.
"It just broke me down," Hebert said. “I made a deal, basically, to leave the gang.”
Now all these years later, Hebert is getting his life back on track.
“I've been out here for 10 years now and I have an 8-year-old son, I have step-kids you know, I have a beautiful life,” he said.
Hebert said he also started going to rehab and therapy. For years he wondered what made him join a gang in the first place.
“I never really understood why that was until very recently and it's because hurt people hurt people," Hebert said.
Hebert said he was seeking validation and felt no one cared about him. He felt this was the only way to get people's attention.
"That's not to say that I don't have tons of people that love me, because there are people who love me. I have family, but I just never was able to embrace it," the ex-gang member said.
What he went through of not having that love in his life as a young teenager is what he feels other kids in the east Valley who have turned to violence are going through.
"I feel like these kids are very hurt and that's why they're hurting people," Hebert said.
Hebert said he and his fiancée have been following the teen assaults. Last week Hebert spoke in front of the Queen Creek Town Council the same night the police chief gave an update into the murder investigation of 16-year-old Preston Lord. Hebert shared his story of what he went through.
“I think [the teen suspects] are going through the same thing and I think they also feel like nobody cares about them,” Hebert said.
Hebert does not condone the violent attacks, calling them cowardly and even looked down on by those currently in prison.
Still, he believes those teenagers causing chaos in Gilbert and even claiming to be in a gang named after the town need to come forward and take responsibility.
It's the only way for them to find a better path.
"How you take accountability, is what's going to make the difference," he said.
12News Town Hall: Teen Violence
On Monday, Jan. 22, 12News will host a Town Hall focusing on the issues of teen violence.
We invite you to join us, along with a panel of experts, to discuss the root causes of teen violence and voice ideas for solutions.
Join us in person, on TV or online and share your voice.
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Event details
- When: 6 p.m., Monday, Jan. 22
- Where: Chandler-Gilbert Community College Performing Arts Center; 2626 E Pecos Road, Chandler
- Doors open: 5 p.m.
- Register to attend in person: RSVP here
Meet the panelists
Julia Wheatley, Queen Creek mayor
Wheatley was elected mayor in 2022 and served on the Queen Creek Town Council since 2010. She grew up in Arizona and Queen Creek has been home since 2007.
Katey McPherson, community advocate
Formerly a school teacher, guidance counselor and administrator, McPherson is also a mother of five and active in her community, advocating for parents and students' safety and mental health.
Krissyn Sumare, senior director of Academics, Blueprint Education
Blueprint Education Inc. is a non-profit organization that runs two public charter high schools in Arizona, offering alternative, non-traditional learning environments.
Dr. Aaron Krasnow, associate vice president of ASU’s Health Services and Counseling Services
An expert in the treatment of anxiety disorders, Dr. Krasnow is responsible for Health and Counseling Services for all ASU campuses.
Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb
Lamb was elected sheriff on Jan. 1, 2017 and is now running as a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate. Lamb’s law enforcement experience includes working as a detective on the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community Gang Enforcement Unit and other multi-jurisdictional gang investigations.
His office has made two arrests of young adults both facing charges in an assault on a teen that was recorded on video and posted online.
Bishop Anthony Holt, NAACP Arizona State Conference president
A long-time community advocate, Holt served as the West Valley NAACP president and was a founding member in 2017. Holt is interested in curbing teen violence throughout Arizona and bringing effective tools to teens statewide.
Jennifer Clack, Silent Witness
Clack is the Vice President of the Arizona Chapter of Silent Witness, a non-profit that partners with local police, news outlets and the community to help solve and prevent crime.
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