Teen accused of killing grandpa on bus because his leg was blocking the aisle

03 February 2024 , 10:44

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60-year-old grandfather, Richard Sanchez was shot dead on a bus (Image: Fox31)

A teenager is accused of shooting an elderly man dead because his leg was blocking the aisle on a bus.

The 13-year-old boy is facing murder charges related to the death of a 60-year-old grandfather, Richard Sanchez, following a dispute over an aisle on a public bus. The incident unfolded last Saturday night, near Sanchez's home, as he rode an RTD bus in Denver, Colorado.

The fatal altercation occurred at the intersection of South Federal Boulevard and West Mississippi Avenue, just a few blocks away from Empower Field at Mile High, the Denver Broncos' stadium. It is claimed that Sanchez and the teenage suspect engaged in a heated argument, sparked by the elderly man's leg allegedly obstructing the bus aisle.

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The family of Richard Sanchez only learned about his death two days later (Fox31)

The dispute escalated, resulting in a shooting at approximately 6.41pm. Sanchez was rushed to the hospital but was pronounced dead upon arrival. Another person also suffered injuries in the incident but was treated at the scene and did not require hospitalization, according to the police.

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Sanchez's family was unaware of his fate until they attempted to file a missing person report two days after the incident on Monday morning. Sanchez's grandson, Joseph Chavez told Fox 31: "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."

The Denver Police Department said in a release: "At this stage of the investigation, it appears there was a verbal exchange between the suspect and victim about the victim’s leg blocking the aisle on the bus, and the suspect then shot the victim."

Police said the altercation started because the victim's leg was blocking the aisle on the bus (Google Maps)

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The alleged teenage murderer was arrested less than a week after the incident and is currently being held on investigation of first-degree murder. The Denver District Attorney’s Office will determine the charges to be filed.

Sanchez's senseless death has left his family devastated. Chavez said: "It feels unreal. He was always happy. He was a really happy dude. I was really heartbroken, honestly. I don’t understand how someone could do that to such an honest person."

Serious concerns about safety on RTD transit have been raised, with records indicating that at least 178 passengers reported assaults or injuries while using RTD services during 2021 and the first two months of 2022. The city of Denver averaged six homicides per month in 2023.

Vassia Barba