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SALT LAKE CITY — A 15-year-old boy charged with murder made his first appearance in juvenile court Friday after police say he shot and killed a man following an argument on a bus earlier this month.
The teen, who will turn 16 next month, remains in custody at a juvenile detention center. Police say the West Valley City teen got into an argument with Marco Cardenas, 22, on a Utah Transit Authority bus on June 10. The two got off near 3500 South and 5600 West and the confrontation continued.
"Upon exiting the bus, (the teen) withdrew a firearm and fired five shots toward Mr. Cardenas. Mr. Cardenas attempted to run away, but a bullet struck him in the chest and he collapsed," according to charges filed in 3rd District Juvenile Court.
Investigators have not specified how Cardenas and the teen knew each other or what they were arguing about. Cardenas had first punched the teen before the gun was pulled, according to police.
The teen fled following the shooting, dropping the gun in a field and hiding in a window well in a nearby neighborhood, the charges state. He was later located by police K-9s and was arrested.
The boy is charged with murder, a first-degree felony, and three counts of felony discharge of a firearm, a second-degree felony. He will appear in court again on July 14 to schedule additional hearings, including whether prosecutors will push to certify him to face the charges as an adult.
KSL has chosen not to name the teenager at this time.
