3 arrested in rock-throwing killing of 20-year-old Colorado woman

Dennis Huspeni, The Gazette (Colorado Springs, Colo.)
Updated ·2 min read
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Apr. 26—Jefferson County Sheriff's investigators arrested three 18-year-old Arvada residents in connection with the death of a woman who was killed when a heavy rock was tossed into her moving vehicle, authorities said on Wednesday.

The suspects — Joseph Koenig, 18, Nicholas "Mitch" Karol-Chik, 18, and Zachary Kwak, 18 — were arrested at their homes late Tuesday or early Wednesday.

Booking photos of suspected arrested in rock throwing murder

Jefferson County Sheriff investigators arrested Nick Karol-Chik, Zachary Kwak, and Joseph Koenig Wednesday, April 26 and face charges of first-degree murder.

They are being held on suspicion of first-degree murder, extreme indifference and additional potential charges as determined by the First Judicial District Attorney's Office.

Joseph Koenig's father, Mark Koenig, was also arrested Tuesday night after allegedly getting in the way when deputies approached the family home as they attempted to secure a search warrant, said Jefferson County Sheriff's spokesperson Jacki Kelley,.

"He was arrested for obstruction," said Kelley.

The three suspects are scheduled to be advised of the charges against them at the Jefferson County Courthouse Thursday morning.

"Ultimately, mobile device forensics and supporting information from the public helped lead to the identification and arrest of the suspects," Jefferson County Sheriff's Office said in news release.

Alexa Bartell, 20, of Arvada was talking to a friend on the phone in her yellow Chevy Spark late April 19 when she suddenly went silent. Bartell's friend tracked down her phone and drove to the location on Indiana Street and found Bartell dead inside her car, which was off the roadway in a field.

Her death was part of a string of rock attacks that night. The incidents began at around 10 p.m. on April 19, ended just after midnight April 20 and included five vehicles. Other drivers whose vehicles were hit suffered from minor injuries.

The arrests were made with assistance from Westminster Police, Arvada Police, and the Boulder County Sheriff's Office, according to the news release.

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