The Brief
A 13-year-old boy
in New Mexico is facing murder charges after authorities say he deliberately hit a pedestrian while driving a stolen car. Video of the alleged crash also made its way around social media.
Hit-and-run crash
Last May, a 63-year-old man was biking to work when he was hit by a car that swerved into the bike lane, according to police. The man, identified as Scott Habermehl, was killed in the hit-and-run. The crash was recorded from inside the car and circulated on social media.
Social media video
The Associated Press released some details of what is shown and heard in the video, according to what Albuquerque police said, which included a discussion planning the crash among several boys. It’s unclear who posted the original video, and if the video is still circulating online. It’s also unclear how police tracked down the origin of the video. In the recording, a voice believed to be the 13-year-old can be heard saying he is about to hit the bicyclist, according to law enforcement. The car appears to accelerate and a voice believed to be a 15-year-old's says, "Just bump him, brah." The driver asks, "Like bump him?" A passenger says, "Yeah, just bump him. Go like…15…20." Loud sounds can then be heard in the recording, including "metal flexing," according to law enforcement. A middle school principal was among those reporting the video to police after a student flagged it.
Murder charges
A 13-year-old and 15-year-old boy
have been charged with an open count of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, leaving the scene of an accident involving great bodily harm or death and unlawful possession of a handgun by a person. An 11-year-old was also involved but is too young to be charged with murder, police said, but didn’t elaborate on how the 11-year-old was alleged to be involved. Authorities are looking into what charges could be brought against the 11-year-old. The 13-year-old has been arrested and is expected to be booked into juvenile detention. Police are also still searching for the 15- and 11-year-old boys.