Teens arrested after Colorado woman killed by rock thrown through windshield, officials say

Saleen Martin, USA TODAY
·2 min read
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Three teenagers have been arrested in the death of a Colorado woman after a rock was thrown through her vehicle's windshield.

The 20-year-old woman's death was part of a string of similar incidents of vehicles being struck by rocks. They all took place within a few miles of one another and within about 45 minutes, authorities said.

Joseph Koenig, Nicholas “Mitch” Karol-Chik and Zachary Kwak, all 18, were taken into custody at their homes Tuesday and Wednesday, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office said at a news release.

Alexa Bartell, of Arvada, Colorado, was killed when a rock was thrown through her windshield while she was driving around 10:45 p.m. on April 19.

Her car was the last hit in a series of similar crimes in which vehicles were hit by "large landscaping rocks," the sheriff's office said. The spree started just after 10 p.m.

Alexa Bartell: Colorado woman killed by rock thrown through windshield amid series of similar incidents

Alexa Bartell, a 20-year-old woman from Arvada, Colo. who was killed when someone threw a rock through her windshield on April 19, 2023.
Alexa Bartell, a 20-year-old woman from Arvada, Colo. who was killed when someone threw a rock through her windshield on April 19, 2023.

Investigators from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Westminster Police, Arvada Police and the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office worked to identify the suspects.

Investigators said they are not sure which of the teenagers was driving during the spree but said the suspect vehicle is a black 2016 Chevy Silverado.

According to investigators, the spree included at least five incidents, including the one that killed Bartell.

As investigators searched for suspects, a reward for information climbed to $17,000.

What have the teens been charged with?

Investigators said they believe all three of the teenagers threw rocks and all will be charged with first-degree murder with extreme indifference.

Those charged with such crimes are said to have been "engaged in conduct which created a grave risk of death to a person or persons other than himself," the legal blog FindLaw.com says.

In the case of Bartell's death, there may be additional charges, but that will be up to the First Judicial District Attorney’s Office, the sheriff's office said.

The sheriff's office thanked media outlets and the public for their help in making the arrests.

A photo of Alexa Bartell's car. The 20-year-old woman from Arvada, Colo. was killed when someone threw a rock through her windshield on April 19, 2023.
A photo of Alexa Bartell's car. The 20-year-old woman from Arvada, Colo. was killed when someone threw a rock through her windshield on April 19, 2023.

"Investigators were glad to be able to notify Alexa’s family and the other victims of these arrests," the sheriff's office said in the news release. "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."

Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY's NOW team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia – the 757 – and loves all things horror, witches, Christmas, and food. Follow her on Twitter at @Saleen_Martin or email her at sdmartin@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Colorado woman killed after stone thrown at car; arrests made