A Colorado teenager, aged 13, is facing accusations of fatally shooting a 60-year-old man following a disagreement on a public bus last week. The victim, Richard Sanchez, was reportedly obstructing the aisle with his leg, which led to an altercation with the young passenger. The incident occurred just a few blocks from Sanchez’s residence while he was on an RTD bus last Saturday evening, as reported by local sources.
The shooting took place around 6:41 p.m. near the intersection of South Federal Boulevard and West Mississippi Avenue, approximately three miles from Empower Field at Mile High, home to the Denver Broncos. Sanchez was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. Another individual was also injured during the incident but was treated on the spot and did not require further medical attention, according to the police.
The young suspect was apprehended by the police less than a week after the incident, on suspicion of being involved in Sanchez’s murder. The police believe that the dispute between Sanchez and the teenager began over Sanchez’s leg blocking the bus aisle.
The victim’s family was unaware of his death until they approached the police to report him missing the following Monday. Sanchez’s grandson, Joseph Chavez, expressed his family’s distress over not knowing Sanchez’s whereabouts and not being able to be with him during his final moments.
Chavez described his grandfather’s untimely death as “unreal” and stated that it has left him “really heartbroken.” He remembered Sanchez as a cheerful person who was always happy. The teenage suspect is currently in custody, under investigation for first-degree murder. The final decision on the charges will be made by the Denver District Attorney’s Office.
Safety concerns on RTD transit have been on the rise, with at least 178 passengers reporting assaults or injuries while using the service during 2021 and the first two months of 2022, according to RTD records. As of 2023, Denver has been averaging six homicides per month.