Boy charged with first-degree murder in connection to fatal shooting

ADAMS COUNTY, Colo. — Charges have been filed against a suspect under 13 years old in connection with a shooting that killed a teenager and injured another, the 17th Judicial District Attorney’s Office said in a release Friday. 

On Saturday, Oct. 12, Adams County sheriff’s deputies responded to a call for shots fired at 11:18 p.m. at Rotella Park, at 1824 Coronado Pkwy., according to the sheriff’s office. An initial investigation shows that a group of five to seven boys were in the park when a disturbance took place, a sheriff’s office spokesperson said on Monday.

One person pulled out a gun, and two teens were shot. One was pronounced dead at the scene and the other was treated and released, the sheriff’s office said. 

The sheriff’s office said the suspect under 13 was arrested Wednesday in connection with the shooting. On Friday, the 17th Judicial District Attorney’s Office filed the following charges against the boy:

• First-degree murder – extreme indifference 
• First-degree assault – extreme indifference 
• Possession of a handgun by a juvenile
• Aggravated juvenile offender (sentence enhancer)

Because the suspect is under 18 years old, his name is not being released. 

The sheriff’s office said they are not looking for any other suspects in connection with the case. 

Gina Morales, 16, and Destiny Williams, 17, were at Rotella Park Monday to play cards and hang out while on fall break. They said news of the shooting reinforces a sad truth.

“People of my generation need to focus on their education, not freaking going around shooting people, hurting other people,” Morales said. “Because that’s not cool. That’s not alright.”

“This generation, they don’t care about anyone but themselves,” Williams said. “They care about street cred more than they care about people’s lives.”

“In this generation, it’s all about violence and there’s nothing really safe to do anymore,” Williams said. “You step out the door and it’s just violence. Constantly thinking you’re going to get hurt when you step outside and you won’t make it back to your bed.”

“It’s just horrible because people don’t understand the harm they’re doing to other people, putting into other communities. They don’t understand we’re all trying to live our lives and be normal,” Morales said. “They just don’t care.”

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call the sheriff’s office at 303-288-1535.