I had a friend that came from East LA.
All his brothers, sisters, and family in general were in gangs. Everyone he knew was in a gang.
I met this kid in the Corps. He was a good egg. He joined to get out of all the crap.
He said it's hard for people to see past the walls of the city. When you are born into it, it's wispiring in your ear from birth, it's all you've ever known, what do you do to change it? Nothing because it does not seem immoral or wrong, law does not factor in with these people. They know it exists but that is merely a hurdle to leap over.
I am not making excuses for this kind of behavior, but you are a product of your environment. Who know's what this kids story was.
Never the less he did the crime, now he's doing the time.