Three Colorado teenagers face murder charges in the death of a 20-year-old woman who was killed when a large rock was thrown at her car and crashed through the windshield, law enforcement said on Wednesday.
In addition to first-degree murder, Joseph Koenig, Nicholas “Mitch” Karol-Chik, and Zachary Kwak, all 18 years old and high school seniors, face charges of extreme indifference, and additional charges are expected to be filed, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office said in a press release. The men were arrested overnight from Tuesday into Wednesday.
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These are the three 18-year-olds arrested in connection to the rock throwing incidents last week.
Joseph Koenig
Nicholas “Mitch” Karol-Chik
Zachary Kwak
All three face a First Degree Murder, Extreme Indifference charge for the death of 20-year-old Alexa Bartell. #9News pic.twitter.com/zZ8jqjc5O8— Jaleesa Irizarry (@JaleesaReports) April 26, 2023
The tragic death of Alexa Bartell occurred at about 10:45 p.m. on Wednesday, April 19. The sheriff’s office said she was not the only target of rocks being thrown that night, beginning shortly after 10. The suspects threw large landscaping rocks, according to deputies, in the municipality of Westminster, which is in the Denver metropolitan area. Bartell’s vehicle was the last one to be hit.
Deputies believe the suspects were driving when the large rocks were thrown, though they are unsure which suspect was behind the wheel. Law enforcement said that the arrests were possible due to mobile device forensics and additional assistance from the public.
“They’re just so grateful,” said Jacki Kelley, public information officer with the sheriff’s office, while talking about Bartell’s family. “They’re still suffering from the greatest loss possible, but this is the beginning of the journey that they’ll be on next.”
“This case touched a lot of people deeply. This was a beautiful young woman with her whole life in front of her who was simply driving home,” Kelley added, per CNN.
Deputies believe there were six other drivers who were victims of the rock throwing that night, Jaleesa Irizarry of KUSA reported.
Nathan’s got a 20 year old daughter himself.
His heart hurts for the Bartell family and he wishes he could have done more that night.
“Now in hindsight, if I would have known what it was I could have chased those guys down and it might have saved her life,” he said. #9News— Jaleesa Irizarry (@JaleesaReports) April 26, 2023
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The three suspects will appear in court for the first time on Thursday.
“Investigators were glad to be able to notify Alexa’s family and the other victims of these arrests,” the sheriff’s office said. “This week’s recognition of Crime Victims’ Rights reminds us of the courage and resilience of crime victims, including the Bartell family. They are our motivation.”
