Noah Ney is once again at the centre of a growing online storm, years after a violent crime first shocked Tulsa. Convicted as a teenager for shooting a five year old girl during a gang initiation drive by, he is now serving a sentence of more than 50 years.
The clips appear to show Ney inside a maximum security facility flashing gang signs, smoking marijuana and rapping without concern. For many, it raises serious questions about prison control, youth rehabilitation and whether someone given a second chance is actually changing at all.
Who is Noah Ney?
Noah Ney is an Oklahoma teenager whose name is once again spreading across social media. He was convicted as a minor for a shocking gang related shooting that left a five year old girl seriously injured. Now 19, he is back in the spotlight after viral prison videos appear to show him flashing gang signs, smoking marijuana and rapping behind bars. The clips have triggered anger and raised fresh questions about prison security and whether rehabilitation is actually working in his case.
One bullet hit her in the neck and shoulder. Doctors later said it missed her spine by inches. She survived, but the physical and emotional damage was severe. The attack quickly became one of the most disturbing juvenile crime cases in the area.
A violent gang initiation that shocked Tulsa
The case goes back to April 2022 in Tulsa. Ney was just 14 when he joined the 4 Tre Hoover Crips, a street gang with a strong presence in parts of the city. Prosecutors said his initiation involved a drive by shooting. Ney allegedly drove a stolen SUV past a house in North Tulsa and opened fire. Inside that home was a five year old girl.One bullet hit her in the neck and shoulder. Doctors later said it missed her spine by inches. She survived, but the physical and emotional damage was severe. The attack quickly became one of the most disturbing juvenile crime cases in the area.
A long record before the shooting
Before this incident, Ney already had a troubling juvenile history. Authorities said he had been involved in cases related to illegal firearms, drugs and stolen vehicles. After the shooting, he was charged as an adult on multiple counts, including shooting with intent to kill, firearm possession and gang related offences. While waiting for sentencing, he even escaped from a juvenile detention facility by jumping a fence. He was caught again within days, adding to concerns about his behaviour and risk level.
A review was scheduled for October 2028. That hearing was meant to assess whether Ney had changed enough to deserve a reduced sentence. At that moment, it seemed like a distant chance at redemption.
What pushed the story viral were videos allegedly recorded inside prison. The clips show Ney flashing gang signs, smoking and rapping as if he were outside. The footage spread quickly online, especially after being shared by Daily Loud, bringing massive attention to his case again.
The 50 year sentence and a chance for review
In October 2023, a Tulsa County judge sentenced Ney to more than 50 years in prison. At the time, he was just 16. The court said he was not suitable for juvenile rehabilitation due to the seriousness of the crime and his past record. However, the judge left a small opening.A review was scheduled for October 2028. That hearing was meant to assess whether Ney had changed enough to deserve a reduced sentence. At that moment, it seemed like a distant chance at redemption.
Viral prison videos spark fresh outrage
Fast forward to 2026, Ney is now housed at Oklahoma State Penitentiary. Instead of showing signs of reform, reports say he has committed several rule violations. These include smoking marijuana, possessing a contraband phone and being involved in fights.What pushed the story viral were videos allegedly recorded inside prison. The clips show Ney flashing gang signs, smoking and rapping as if he were outside. The footage spread quickly online, especially after being shared by Daily Loud, bringing massive attention to his case again.
The response online has been intense and divided. One user on X said, "They should increase his sentence since he feels at home." Another wrote, "50 plus years and still acting like this does prison actually rehabilitate anyone?"
Some comments shifted focus to the prison system itself. One user said, "The real issue is how he even has a phone and drugs inside a maximum security prison." Others were more emotional, pointing back to the victim. "He shot a five year old child and this is how he behaves. The system failed her," one comment read.
For prosecutors and the public, the key question remains the same. Has Noah Ney changed at all, or is he still the same person who carried out a violent gang initiation at just 14. Meanwhile, the young girl he shot continues to live with the trauma of that day, while Ney's actions inside prison keep drawing national attention.
Some comments shifted focus to the prison system itself. One user said, "The real issue is how he even has a phone and drugs inside a maximum security prison." Others were more emotional, pointing back to the victim. "He shot a five year old child and this is how he behaves. The system failed her," one comment read.
What happens next in his case?
The 2028 review now carries much more weight. It was once seen as a slim chance for a teenage offender to show growth. But with repeated violations and viral videos suggesting continued gang behaviour, many believe his chances of sentence reduction are shrinking.For prosecutors and the public, the key question remains the same. Has Noah Ney changed at all, or is he still the same person who carried out a violent gang initiation at just 14. Meanwhile, the young girl he shot continues to live with the trauma of that day, while Ney's actions inside prison keep drawing national attention.