In The Hood-Montrel 

He is far from “soft”. The fact that he was raised in the hood and he survived without doing drugs and not being in the correctional system shows me how strong mentally he is. He seems like a very strong individual that just needs guidance. Good luck to him and stay strong

Wow. This man is literally letting us know that he's better than having a street life. I wish him and his family the best.

He seems like such a great dude. Wish you the best Montrel ❤

A brother with such a beautiful soul. I pray for God to bring you help, brother!

I feel for this man. God please bless this man and his woman.

Montrel, You are a survivor, you are mentally tough, you got grit.. never give up… never give up. one tiny step at a time you will get to a better place. Stay focused, your kids are watching,,, you are breaking the cycle and showing them what a solid man is. Right now, do anything for work… sweep, labor, stock shelves, maintenance. work keeps you busy… your kids see that and say “my dad works his butt off to save for my college , buy me sneakers.. he never misses a game, school play… my mom is tough and loud but my dad stays calm and does not react to her”

So tragic, he is not on drugs and he wants to work....someone give him a job

This man is far more intelligent than he realises....

He's such a sweetheart and a genuine good soul; he deserves all good things in life, and I'm praying 🙏 for him to reach his goals and beyond! It's a shame he wasn't able to get the help he needed as a young traumatized boy! But it's never too late as long as you're still alive!❤❤❤

He seems like a really good guy... I really hope things turn around for him... It's amazing how some people want nothing more than to bring you down... It is very hard to trust people.... I know that first hand

6 am in Michigan. Can't sleep, watching another good interview. Thx Mark. 😊

What an incredibly emotionally aware and intelligent human being. You are capable of big things, Montrel. Keep going

Montrell, I hope you read this. Doing the right thing only makes you look "soft" to the people that want the worst for you. It seems as though you've had it quite rough and you want change, you want better for yourself. You're the only one capable of steering yourself in the right direction. And by the sounds of it with the people that you're surrounded by it is going to take constantly swallowing your pride and eating the shit they dish out to you in order to not jeopardize your future. It's going to take a LOT of heart. It takes huge balls to go against the grain especially in the environment you live in. Don't let your pride get away let people say what they want and just keep moving, one foot in front of the other. It's easy to rob somebody and go to prison, it's hard being a good man waking up every day, doing what's right. Do it for yourself, especially do it for your children, they need you!!! Be a square, show your children how to be a responsible, reliable man, not a thug. The importance of having a positive male role model is at the top of the list for a young child to succeed in life. if you don't show them the right way you can just about guarantee nobody else will and the cycle will repeat. Be a respectable man and live life on hard mode, by doing what's right, we are built to shoulder the burden of responsibility. From one stranger to another, I'm rooting for your, Brother!!!

Sounds like he has PTSD,a traumatic event at such a young age can warp a mind.

100% man with a good heart and a deep soul here

This young man is such a polite gentleman after going through all the things he's gone through I wish I could reach out and help him I hope that he find his way outside the hood I want to listen some good luck I enjoyed this video

Father, please protect this man & provide light for his darkness. In Jesus name amen.

Such resilience! Thanks for sharing. Write your book and get published!!

I hope Mark “connections” can help him with a stable job of some sort. He seems like a good guy just trying to get life together and make an honest living.

5 am in Utah. Thanks for the dose of perspective. Good luck Montreal!

Great interview!💯💯💯

Montrel, you're a good man. Need someone to take you under their wing, get a trade, I'm certain you'll go far in life! Never give up! Kudos to you for not allowing anyone to break you. You're a winner in the midst of a storm. God bless you and your young children. Please don't allow these part-time negative people to take your joy! Blessings! ✨️🙏✨️

😢❤WOW! My God bless his heart and soul and his family!❤

Maybe the bullets didn’t ricochet or maybe they did! He said the cop had a bulletproof vest on and was ok, but that is beside the point he was a kid and a terrible traumatic event happened to his family and that is how he remembers it. He gave the name and said it was on the news so look it up. Good luck bro.

What a sweet man he is. He definitely needs and deserves some guidance and help and I have no question he will do fine. Stay strong Montrel you are stronger than you know ❤

This man eminates stregnth, empathy & wisdom imo.

I’m not familiar with L.A. but there’s got to be a non-profit that can assist this man.

Thank you for the interview Montrel & SWU

He is so intelligent we need to get this man a job. He seems like he would go on the right path so easy all he had to deal with was trauma and his childhood.

Montrel if your reading this let that pain that anger that anxiety turn into greatness you decide your own greatness!!

Don't know why you'd doubt the ricocheting bullets story to his face as he's telling his story, Mark

Mark this is one of all the people you should help! His mind is right and is really trying. He's strong minded and just need some guidence God bless you Montrel. All love from Sweden 🤗🙏

Montrel - a relationship is a partnership. Sometimes the woman is weak and needs support, sometimes the man is weak and needs support. My husband supported me when my kids were little, I worked but he was the breadwinner. My husband lost his job 13 years ago and I supported him and our family while he started his own business. A couple years ago, I got sick and had to quit my job for a couple months, and he took care of me and supported me. Regarding asking questions, the only thing you can do is just ask. If someone is mean to you for asking, move on and ask someone else, that is their own personal issue if they try to shame someone for not knowing something.

He’s so smart explaining his trauma, he has alot of self-awareness, I don’t like how the interviewer questioned the bullets hitting each other, it almost sounded like gaslighting or like he’s not believing the story, the story can be fact checked later, why ask him to share his story if he’s going to question it in the spot, not nice when he’s being vulnerable telling his story to him and to people who watch this channel

6am watching SWU I am hooked! Watching from Sarasota Florida!

Even without a gang.. changing from being a career criminal or even just being institutionalized, and trying to go straight is hard.

Montrel your honesty and your heart are stunning, please keep going and pushing!

Poor chap that’s shocking to see .Seems a really nice person.Really hope he goes far

Don't give up bro, you come far.

You are a very strong person. God bless you.

Wow! His eyes are so kind. You can see this guys soul. Would love to see as many people as possible to reach out and help him in every way he wants or needs help and support. I pray 🙏 for as many miracles as possible to give this man the life of his dreams. I want this so much for him. Want him to succeed and thrive in life. Want his 2 boys happy and a permanent fixure in his life. He deserves every inch of happiness that this world can offer. ❤ Would love to learn his girl becomes his wife and that they have a home with his boys and a good life together.❤ God bless you always Montrel - A good guy 💛

It would be so beneficial for Montrel to go back to school and get a trade. He seems like a good guy.

God bless you brother Keep dodging that temptation!🙏🏽

Walmart, grocery stores, YMCA, Boys & Girls Club, Warehouse, Construction, security at a club, The military etc. And plenty of resources to help apply for jobs including the library. You were born into chaos. Not many has gotten as far as you've come. The environment, close to death, even getting OUT of the gang is dangerous. And you made it out of it. You are definitely strong. And because of that you have no excuses. Obvious you have a purpose. Be a mentor, start taking notes on your life & write a book. At this point you are the only one that can hold you back. U got this king.

Wow! Amazing that he survived all of that in tact! He is Amazing and deserves a good life, plenty of ongoing therapy, etc. I wish you well Montrell. To see that so young is worse than a nightmare 😢💔🙏🏽♥️✨️✨️✨️✨️ Your next Job is going to fix a lot of things once you get it, trust the process and let Nothing stop you young man

Wow you saw hoffific stuff as a kid man. Proud of you not doing drugs. I wish you to find a job soon and a home. Never stay around negative people. Good luck ❤

He has me going until he dragged the lady mid-auto theft. I get he's traumatized, at 33. I'm 33 also, and life, let alone circumstances, have been very nice to me. You didn't rip off anyone, terrorize your neighborhood, impregnate more traumatized inhabitants in your dysfunctional community without a plan... Choice is still within you, fam.

This young man has experienced hell at a very young age, and he's still trying to do the right thing. Let's hope and pray that he gets the opportunities for a good job and life. He's willing to work. He only needs help. His heart is in the right place. God bless him and his children!!! ❤🙏

Jeez. What a crazy life..man hope he's ok ..that's tuff life Buffalo NY fam sends Love/ Prayers Thnx Mark too..😢

Montrel you are introspective, articulate and insightful. Your memories are tragic and your present is desperate for inspiration. Act truthful and never be ashamed to ask for help. A gentleman walked up to me in a park at night for $1-5 just to find a bed. He'd been out of prison for 3 weeks and was working as a chef but didn't have housing yet. He was humble to say he hadn't showered for days. People are kind although humanity is still remembering to love. Best of luck to you.

Praying for you sweetheart. 🙏🏻💗

He's such a nice guy. He just needs a chance. What trauma. I'm praying for him🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

No child should ever have to tell this story.😢😢 they never had a chance.😢

Hi folks!! Love from Belgium!!❤

Dang...awesome interview..

I hope someone sees this and helps him out with a job. He seems like he really wants to do better and when you know better. You do better.

My only son was murdered at age 25, you remind me sooooooooo much of him , not the same experiences but the way you look and the way you talk and also your sincerity .

Thanks Mark.

Another great interview

Melbourne Australia in da house

As I'm listening to this I'm thinking that this is a guy who wants to get his life together. He has experienced so much trauma. I can't imagine actually seeing what he saw in that massacre. He's asking for help. It speaks volumes that he is putting out there that he's never been taught some basic life skills. I'm praying that he is able to get the help he needs & is able to keep moving forward. Praying for you Montrel

Your brother being gay isn't a messed up thing.

Crazy ahh story. That was like watchinga really good horror movie. But Stay strong and keep fighting Montrel. You’re a good dude just keep fighting. You have the right idea. Just stay focused 🙏🏾😤

" It started September 11, 2001"👀

Montrel, sending you love and luck. ❤❤❤

This is one of those dudes that genuinely needs a job to keep him out of trouble and show him some life skills. You’re in the same boat as 98% of men, stop isolating yourself from society and join us brother. We can clean drains, deliver appliances, haul garbage, all of those pay at least $25 an hour to start here in CA. I’m rooting for you buddy, just know most men would be in your spot given your circumstances, doesn’t mean it’s right to dwell in the past so hard you fuck up the rest of your future. I’m rooting for you pal, find a good career and you won’t even recognize yourself in 2 years time.

Montrel, I have to take a moment to honor you-because what you’ve survived and who you’ve become despite it all is nothing short of incredible. The trauma you went through as a child is beyond anything most people could ever comprehend, yet here you stand, not as a victim, but as a king. A man who chooses to rise above, to love himself, to seek better for himself and his family. That’s not just impressive, that’s powerful. That’s the strength of a Black king, someone who knows his worth and refuses to let the world define him by the pain he’s endured. You’ve made it clear that you’re not just surviving-you’re thriving. You are breaking cycles, rewriting your story, and creating a legacy of love and strength for your children. Trust me, Montrel, your kids will look back one day and realize that their father is a true example of resilience, a man who faced the storm and came out even stronger. And when it comes to your children, don’t ever doubt your ability to be the best father for them. From what little you’ve shared, I have no doubt that a judge would recognize the love and stability you offer, and you can absolutely fight for joint-or even full-custody as the strong, loving parent you are. And man, that line about asking Siri for help had me laughing! Your sense of humor is a gift, and it’s clear you know how to turn pain into power. Have you ever thought about channeling that into stand-up comedy? You speak with such rawness and authenticity, and you have the power to heal not only yourself but others by sharing your story through humor. It’s clear you’re a natural communicator, and maybe comedy is one way to turn your past into something that not only heals but inspires. Montrel, never forget-you are a king. You’ve faced battles most wouldn’t survive, and you’ve come out the other side with wisdom, love, and strength. Your journey is far from over, and I have no doubt you’ll continue to rise. God bless you, brother. You are seen, you are valued, and you are destined for greatness. Keep pushing forward-because the world needs your light.

Thank you for sharing your story. It's important that you, Montrel completley ignore the negative energy around you I am certain you will prosper. (Invest in a decent set of ear phones) Please take advantage of computer literacy classes in your area and resources at the local unemployment office and community centers. They will help you with your resume/cv and job prospects. Blessing to you and all your endeavours!

ALL LOVE FROM CONWAY ARKANSAS💯💯💯

“i’m not sure about that but this story is interesting” mark if you don’t…

This poor guy, man...stay up Montrel.

Best to you Montrel. You’ve been through some real shit. 💙⭐️

That’s the problem with this community we always feel someone needs to tell us something instead of u figuring it out

Wow he’s needed therapy since he was a little boy !😢 how unfortunate I hope he gets the help he needs !!!!….he can’t judge his babymomma because he can’t put those kids in a better position ! I dont kno how people are reproducing but can’t fill out a application 😕

Love SWU!! Can’t sleep either 😞

I kept thinking while watching this video, that he needs to go to a church. I don't know what church, but, he needs to find a church and there will be someone there who can show him and teach him everything he needs to know so that he can turn his life around. Please get this message to him. This was a constant thought and still is. Gif wants him to go to a church to look for help.

I pray he can leave that place where he stays and gets a job and a better way of Life 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

I wish nothing but good positive things for this young man. He wants to do good, see his kids and do the right thing. Sending good vibes and hugs, darling. Gooood luck!❤

You have a good heart man. After everything you've been through, even though you did things that got you caught up i feel like you didn't do it to cause harm but you didn't know how to cope with certain situations and did what you had to do. I'll be praying for ya man and I hope you decide to keep bettering yourself your kids and your wife. God Bless you brother!!

Wow! Wild story. My life changed that same day too for a different reason obviously. But my story forever changed after tat day.

He would have been an excellent member of the society had he received good guidance from stable parents & family life.

Thanks for your honesty Montrel. I think you’re gonna make it if you keep speaking like this. You have a good heart and you’re self aware. Good luck to you.

get it together young man - we are praying for you

Montrell is a Virgo. I understand his heart, his mind and his soul. He has a good spirit, Mark you need to follow up with an update and see how he’s doing.

He’s a sweet man. Anyone would be lucky to have him as an employee.😊

Yes, bullets can ricochet off of each other. For example, a device has been created that can collide two bullets together in less than a millisecond.

Good luck out there bro. Be safe

such a good person, leave LA asap thats my humble opinion.

Im kinda curious as to why Mark didn’t express any ideas or thoughts to this man. He seems very genuine and like he wants to work but doesn’t have a skillset. Maybe you could pair him up with Hutch the one that makes all your apparel now? Maybe he could start speaking and empowering the youth with Johnny?? He seems like such a good person with a-lot to offer this world if someone would give him a chance. Instead of trying to repair Rebecca someone who doesn’t want change… why not put some energy and effort into this man? Just my thoughts…

What a nice guy! I hope he can get his life together! What a story. Wish the best for him! ❤

mark please do a follow up with montreal!! he seems like a great dude i have faith in you montreal !

Very handsome young man. With that L.A. accent 😮

Someone please reach out to this traumatised guy who needs emotional support.

A guy who is trying to be good against all odds... he hasn't let the good kid inside of him die yet.

I really hope this he gets the help that he needs. Fathers are very important in the black neighborhoods. He needs a mentor ❤

Like Mark said, “That’s Hell of a Story”

Jesus man, i can not immagine the fear this kid went thru as a child and that altercation. Much love

Someone be proud of this man

This made me cry! Omg! This is me! I had someone tell me I just can't! ITS so hard!!! Stay strong! I even Wrote mark 😂

I love when people are real