Police are cautioning against online promises of vigilante justice after the stabbing death of a 14-year-old Hamilton teen.

Hundreds of messages of grief and anger have been posted to social media following the death of Jesse Clarke, who was killed Monday night following a group altercation.

A number of postings have sworn revenge against the 18-year-old charged with his murder.

"Like we say to adults that go through these horrible experiences, the police are in place to handle these matters. Let us handle these matters and try to get a conviction and possible punishment," said Detective Matt Kavanagh, the lead investigator on the case.

"Revenge is just going to get them in trouble and it's not going to help their friend."

Clarke was stabbed to death outside of a Lincoln Avenue home just before 10 p.m. Monday after a group of youths – Clarke included – showed up there to "confront" another.

"One group of kids confronted another group of kids. They were both in opposing groups," Kavanagh said.

While two local groups or "squads" were referenced by friends and in online posts both following and leading up to the tragedy, Kavanagh stresses these groups do not fit the court's criteria for official "gangs."

Two groups mentioned were LOM, which reportedly stands for "Loyalty ova Money," and BNA, which reportedly stands for "Black Native Association," though Kavanagh said there could be multiple interpretations of the acronym.

"When we ask them names or about acronyms, that's when they won't cooperate. They don't want us to know," he said, adding that otherwise they do have cooperation from witnesses on both sides present during the fight.

A source close to the case previously told The Spectator the first group had showed up armed with bats and pipes.

The feud had developed over the last few days leading up to Monday night, Kavanagh said.

Brodie Nicholls, 18, is charged with second degree murder in Clarke's death.

"RIP Jesse Clarke bruh we'll find those opps (opposing side) oml (on my life)," one teen posted on Twitter Tuesday.

"throw my Ls up for lil homie…" another posted.

Another posted on Clarke's Facebook profile threatening to "find that b---- who did that to you … rip out his guts and cut of (sic) his head … and leave a note saying Jesse justice has been served."

Kavanagh said that while the groups are not considered official gangs, police are investigating them as part of "proactive community policing."

It's a difficult thing to monitor, he says, because the fickle nature of these groups means that members and even names are changing all the time, which is enabled by social media.

"A group might get together, talk, develop it overnight … and then a week later they have a different name," Kavanagh said.

One youth outreach worker agrees social media has perpetuated this "crew culture."

"(Social media) is another arena for conflict to take place, which wasn't there before. It's now an opportunity to be tough behind a screen or a user name, which, in and of itself comes with its own dangers. Things can escalate very quickly," said Cliff Simon, program facilitator at Liberty for Youth.

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While confrontation is nothing new, the constant engagement on social media can fan the flames in conflicts that might otherwise fizzle out.

While Simon acknowledges youth's motives for joining or starting these groups are not always malicious, he believes a tragedy like Clarke's was "just a matter of time."

"What I definitely see is more youth looking for something to identify themselves with. Often times, it's now in the name of some kind of gang or clique and even if it's not necessarily because of (malicious) intent, they just like the name and the status. The crew."

These youth are "trying to declare their manhood," Simon said.

"Nobody wants to be seen as soft or weak … the terminology that they're using, like the word 'snitch,' that is the mindset now that really has permeated."

Liberty for Youth has 45 kids and teens actively involved in its programming, which includes recreation and mentorship programs for at-risk youth in Hamilton. As program facilitator, he has worked with youth affiliated with both LOM and BNA, Simon said, noting a large percentage of the organization's clients are at risk for criminal activity.

"One of the key issues is a lot of these youth, they are totally buckling under peer pressure. Their self-worth is low and they can be manipulated very easily."

"Another thing I've seen on the rise is 19- and 20-year-olds hanging around with 14-year-olds," Simon said.

Kavanagh says Clarke and knew each other.

While friends described them as "opp (opposite sides)," the detective suggested it's less black and white.

"They're not enemies – that's for sure."

Nicholls is scheduled to return to court Sept. 2.

- Family, friends mourn teen stabbed to death in east end