LOVELAND, Colo. — Two more suspects were arrested in a shooting and carjacking last month that left Nasier Graham, 18, dead and another teen injured, Loveland Police said Monday.
All three suspects now in custody are 15-year-old boys from Greeley.
"We’re not aware of any specific link that had the suspects and victim," Loveland Police Chief Tim Doran said. "It was a random, senseless murder."
Most in the community knew Graham by his nickname, Nas. Monday afternoon, his friends and family gathered at the Loveland Police Department to hear the chief announce the arrests. Monday morning, they buried Nas.
"Nas was not just some anybody. He was loved by his family, his friends, his coworkers, his school members and his coaches," said Okema Bassett, a spokesperson for the family. "We are just saddened, broken and we look forward to the conviction of these three criminals."
Nas graduated from Mountain View High School last year. His family describes him as someone who was loved and showed love to all.
"Nas was my friend. And I’m so irritated right now," family friend Corletta Hithon said. "This has to stop. That’s all I have to say."
Around 10:15 p.m. on Jan. 20, police said, a white Dodge Ram pickup truck pulled into the parking lot of the Brookstone Apartment Homes at 2500 E. 1st Ave. and stopped in front of a car occupied by Graham.
Two people got out of the truck and fired shots, according to police. Graham was removed from the car, then the two people got inside and followed the truck around the apartment complex.
The driver of the stolen car then slid on ice and crashed into a parked car with a 16-year-old victim inside, police said. The driver and the victim got into an argument and more shots were fired, injuring the 16-year-old.
Police won’t say what led to the shooting or why the three suspects targeted Nas before they took his car.
Right now, the teenagers have been charged as juveniles. The Larimer County District Attorney said Monday he’s keeping all his options open about whether he might one day transfer the charges to adult court, where the punishment would be more severe if they were convicted.
>Watch the full news conference below:
One 15-year-old suspect was taken into custody on Jan. 31. He is being charged with:
- First-degree murder
- Second-degree murder
- Two counts of first-degree attempted murder
- First-degree assault
- Aggravated robbery
- First-degree aggravated motor vehicle theft
- Possession of a dangerous weapon
- Two counts of crime of violence (enhancer)
- Two counts of aggravated juvenile offender (enhancer)
A second 15-year-old suspect was arrested on Feb. 2 and is being charged with:
- First-degree murder
- Second-degree murder
- Two counts of first-degree attempted murder
- First-degree assault
- Aggravated robbery
- First-degree aggravated motor vehicle theft
- Possession of a dangerous weapon
- Three counts of crime of violence (enhancer)
- Four counts of aggravated juvenile offender (enhancer)
Charges are pending against a third 15-year-old suspect who was arrested Sunday, according to police.
Police did not identify the suspects, citing their ages and an active investigation.
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