13-year-old charged with murder for allegedly crashing stolen car into man riding his bike

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (TCN) -- Police announced charges against juveniles they allege drove a stolen car into a man commuting to work on his bicycle last year.

The Albuquerque Police Department said in a statement that they took a 13-year-old into custody on charges of open murder, conspiracy to commit murder, leaving the scene of an accident involving great bodily harm or death, and unlawful possession of a handgun in connection with the death of Scott Habermehl.

A 15-year-old is facing the same charges. Police allege an 11-year-old participated in the fatal hit-and-run, but they said he is too young to be charged with murder. Detectives are working with the Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office and the New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Department to figure out what charges the boy could face and whether he can be placed in custody.

According to the police department, Habermehl was biking to work at the Sandia National Laboratory on May 24 at 4:40 a.m. when he was struck by the car on Moon Street. The suspects in the vehicle allegedly recorded the collision as they intentionally drove into the bike lane to hit Habermehl. Police said the juveniles "saw the flashing light on the bicycle and audio of the recording indicated they planned to hit the bicyclist."

Albuquerque Police learned via an anonymous tip in February that the video had been shared on Instagram. The Instagram account was flagged in a separate investigation, but then a middle school principal told police that a student spoke up about seeing the video.

The video allegedly shows the 13-year-old talking about hitting Habermehl before he accelerates the car. The 15-year-old reportedly told him not to speed up too much, and said, "Just bump him, brah." Police allege the 15-year-old told the 13-year-old to "go like 15, 20."

The 11-year-old reportedly sat in the front seat and waved a handgun in the air. He allegedly ducked as the passenger side struck Habermehl. According to police, "There were loud sounds, including metal flexing, as the momentum of the crash carried Habermehl and his bicycle on top, and off, the passenger side of the vehicle."

Police are reportedly still searching for the 15-year-old and 11-year-old.

According to his obituary, Habermehl worked as an engineer and published over 50 journal articles and six patents that are used in the national security and space fields. He was described as a "consummate outdoorsman and cared deeply for the wild spaces of the world."

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