July 19th 2024.
A heartbreaking tragedy occurred on a Regional Transportation District bus in Denver when a 13-year-old boy shot and killed a 60-year-old man, Richard Sanchez. The boy, whose name has been withheld due to his juvenile status, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and first-degree attempted murder in court on Thursday. As a result, he was sentenced to 5 1/2 years in the Division of Youth Services.
The Denver District Attorney's Office confirmed that the sentence included five years for the second-degree murder charge and six months for attempted murder. Denver District Attorney Beth McCann expressed her sorrow over the senseless death of Richard Sanchez and highlighted the issue of juveniles carrying guns. She also acknowledged the efforts made by her office to address this problem but acknowledged that more needs to be done to prevent future tragedies like this in Denver.
According to a police report, the fatal shooting occurred on Jan. 27 on an RTD bus near South Federal Boulevard and West Mississippi Avenue. It started with a verbal altercation between the boy and a group of juveniles who had boarded the bus and walked past Sanchez, whose leg was in the aisle. Sanchez then approached the group at the back of the bus, and the boy shot him multiple times before stepping over his body and leaving the bus.
Initially, the 13-year-old was charged with first-degree murder, assault, endangering a public transport crew, and other charges. However, these charges were dismissed as part of the plea agreement. In a statement, McCann expressed her disappointment in the fact that five years was the maximum sentence allowed for a juvenile convicted of second-degree murder in Colorado. She stated that if it weren't for the boy's actions with a gun, Richard Sanchez would still be alive today.
As we mourn the loss of Richard Sanchez and think of his loved ones, it's important to acknowledge the impact of gun violence and take steps to prevent it from happening in the future. The Denver community has seen a decrease in shootings and victims of gun violence, but there is still work to be done. Our thoughts are with all those affected by this tragic event. To stay updated on crime news, sign up for our newsletter and have it delivered straight to your inbox.
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