In 2024, a 13-year-old boy was arrested for the first-degree murder of a 60-year-old man on a Denver bus, allegedly triggered by a dispute over leg placement.
The victim’s family expressed shock and heartbreak, highlighting the impact of the incident.
The case is part of a larger trend of high-profile murders involving teens, such as the 2021 carjacking and killing of a 66-year-old Uber Eats driver by two young girls in Washington, D.C.
“At this stage of the investigation, it appears there was verbal exchange between the suspect and victim about the victim’s leg blocking the aisle on the bus, and the suspect then shot the victim,” Denver police stated.
“It feels unreal,” Sanchez’s grandson Joseph Chavez said. “He was always happy. He was a really happy dude.”
“I was really heartbroken, honestly,” he said.
Classified 13-year-old arrested for allegedly murdering man on Denver bus.
Police say a 13-year-old murdered Richard Sanchez, 60, because he wouldn't move his leg. A second male victim was also injured by a bullet. pic.twitter.com/RHqN2CxoAc
— National Conservative (@NatCon2022) February 5, 2024
“I don’t understand how someone could do that to such an honest person. It’s been hard because we didn’t know where he was at, and the whole time, he was at the hospital and they didn’t contact us. Nobody was there with him during his last breath.”
This has sparked debates about appropriate punishments for juvenile offenders, with some officials emphasizing the need for rehabilitation and understanding the developmental stage of teenagers.
There is a growing concern about the implications of leniency towards young offenders in the context of such tragic incidents.
“We also are committed in the juvenile system to treat kids like kids and that we give kids what the law requires, which is a chance of rehabilitation and going on to live lives of success and independence,” Attorney General Brian Schwalb said.
“Kids are different than adults and our job as the attorney general of the city is to keep the city safe, but also make sure we stay true to our obligation to young people.”
“I don’t think kids should be treated as adults,” he added. “Kids are kids and when you’re talking about teenagers particular – their brains are developing, their minds are developing, and they’re biologically prone to make mistakes – that’s what we’ve all done as we’ve grown up.”
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