13-Year-Old Accused of Murdering Grandfather Over Bus Dispute in Denver

Feb 06, 11:00 AM

In a shocking incident, a 13-year-old boy is facing accusations of murdering 60-year-old grandfather Richard Sanchez during an argument that escalated on a public bus last week. The dispute, which allegedly began over a blocked aisle, resulted in a tragic loss of life and has left the community in disbelief.

The incident occurred on a Saturday night at around 6:41 p.m. at the intersection of South Federal Boulevard and West Mississippi Avenue, just a few blocks away from Empower Field at Mile High, the home of the Denver Broncos. According to authorities, the argument between the teen and Sanchez escalated to the point where the teenager shot the elderly man.

Sanchez was immediately rushed to the hospital, but tragically, he was pronounced dead. Another individual sustained injuries during the altercation but did not require hospitalization.

Disturbingly, Sanchez's family was kept in the dark about his fate until they attempted to file a missing person report the following Monday. Joseph Chavez, Sanchez's grandson, expressed the family's shock and heartbreak, saying, "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."

Chavez fondly remembered his grandfather as a "really happy dude," emphasizing the senselessness of the tragedy.

The Denver Police Department is holding the 13-year-old suspect under investigation for first-degree murder. The Denver District Attorney's Office will ultimately determine the charges against the teenager.

This shocking incident has highlighted safety concerns on Denver's public transit system, with reports showing that at least 178 passengers reported being assaulted or injured while using RTD transit in 2021 and the first two months of 2022, according to RTD records shared by Fox 31.

The tragic incident has also brought attention to the overall crime rate in Denver. As of 2023, the city has been averaging six homicides per month, raising concerns about public safety and the need for community vigilance.

As the investigation into this heart-wrenching incident continues, the Denver community is left grappling with the senseless loss of Richard Sanchez and the pressing need for safer public spaces for all residents.
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