DENVER — A judge on Thursday sentenced a 13-year-old boy to five years and six months in the Division of Youth Services in connection with a deadly shooting on an RTD bus in Denver, the Denver District Attorney's Office said.
The shooting happened on the bus about 6:40 p.m. Jan. 27 near South Federal Boulevard and West Mississippi Avenue. According to Denver Police, 60-year-old Richard Sanchez was shot multiple times and died from his injuries. Another person was wounded but had injuries that were not life-threatening, police said.
The boy was arrested five days after the shooting and later pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder, police said.
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On Thursday, according to the Denver District Attorney's Office, the boy was sentenced to five years for the second-degree murder charges related to the death of Sanchez. He received a six-month sentence for the attempted murder charge, which was related to the other victim who was shot in the foot.
The boy's case remained in juvenile court.
“Richard Sanchez’s senseless death is yet another example of the tragedy that often results when juveniles carry guns," said Denver District Attorney Beth McCann in a statement. "Over the past few years, my office has taken important steps to address this deeply disturbing issue but, clearly, more needs to be done to prevent future tragedies in Denver."
"We are working with DPD, the Mayor’s office, and others to develop meaningful ways to reduce youth violence," McCann said. "Were it not for the actions of a 13-year-old boy with a gun, Richard Sanchez would still be alive today, and my thoughts today are with all those who knew and loved him. While I do not think that five years in the Department of Youth Services is a sufficient sentence for this horrific crime, it is the longest sentence allowed for a juvenile under Colorado law for second-degree murder.”
The victim's daughter, Miranda Sanchez, said she's seen surveillance video showing her dad's final moments. The evidence hasn't been released to the public.
"They got on the bus. My dad and this other guy were blocking the aisle where they could walk," Sanchez said. "He went back there, and when the bus was going to stop, or it was slowing down, he fell to the side a bit, and he grabbed his pants because he didn't have his belt on, and the kid shot him six times. Missed once."
