Las Vegas teens accused of running over retired police chief in stolen car continue laughing in courtroom, taunt victim's grieving family



Jzamir Keys, 16, and Jesus Ayala, 18, are accused of fatally mowing down 64-year-old retired police chief Andreas Probst with a stolen car on Aug. 14 — a horrific slaying caught on film, along with the duo's maniacal laughter. In court Tuesday, the alleged murderers kept on laughing.

The victim's daughter, Taylor Probst, was present at the Regional Justice Center in Las Vegas for the hearing. She indicated that Keys and Ayala "did not respect the court whatsoever. ... They were just d**king around the entire time," reported KSNV-TV.

The duo apparently also taunted the victim's grieving family.

"They (the defendants) were flipping us off," continued Taylor Probst. "They were snickering, laughing, trying to mad-dog us and intimidate us, which didn't work."

Taylor Probst said, "It just makes him look bad," referencing Ayala's rude gestures to the family. "How can you sit there after taking a man's life and act like such an entitled p***k?"

Crystal Probst, the victim's widow, said she didn't let the teens bother her despite their apparent efforts to intimidate the family, reported the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

— (@)

District Judge Jacqueline Bluth informed the teens Tuesday that their trial was set for Sept. 16, 2024. They will both be tried as adults.

Ayala and Keys were indicted by a grand jury earlier this month on the following charges, enhanced because Probst was a senior citizen: murder with use of a deadly weapon; attempted murder with use of a deadly weapon; battery with use of a deadly weapon reslting in substantial bodily harm; and two counts of duty to stop at the scene of a crash involving death.

They also face unenhanced felony charges of residential burglary, use of a deadly weapon, three counts of grance larceny auto, and three counts of possession of a stolen vehicle.

Both pleaded not guilty on Oct. 11.

Although Nevada has the death penalty, the teens are not eligible on account of their age. They instead face a maximum of life in state prison.

David Westrook, Ayala's attorney, said he intends to seek the release of his client from jail pending trial, reported the Las Vegas Sun.

Ayala and Keys appear to have filmed parts of their rampage, including when they allegedly drove a white sedan off the road, then targeted Probst, the former police chief of Bell, California, for slaughter.

In the gruesome video, one perpetrator asks the other, "Ready?"

The other responds, "Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! Hit his a**," all the while laughing.

The stolen 2016 Hyundai Elantra allegedly used by the duo to hit Probst was reportedly found less than 10 minutes away from where the victim's body was found with blood splashed across its windshield.

Probst was not the duo's only alleged victim.

Police found another video on Ayala's cell phone of a second bicyclist being struck by a Kia Soul.

KLAS-TV indicated that in the video of the second incident, taken by Ayala, a voice can be heard repeatedly urging the driver to "bump him," referencing a 72-year-old man riding his bicycle on the far side of the street. Both suspects cackle as their car's engine can be heard accelerating.

The elderly victim suffered a knee injury but ultimately survived.

Ayala can be heard in bodycam footage later telling his arresting officer, "You think this juvenile [expletive] is gonna do some [expletive]? I'll be out in 30 days, I'll bet you."

Ayala, whose criminal record in the juvenile system is substantial, added, "It's just ah, [expletive] ah, hit-and-run — slap on the wrist."

His mother told KLAS her son might be beyond saving, saying, "I don't know why he did this. ... I don't know if God can forgive this."

Taylor and Crystal Probst indicated they will continue to attend the teens' court appearances, seeking justice and carrying on the victim's memory.

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Two Connecticut police officers killed, one wounded in suspected ambush shooting



Two police officers were shot and killed and a third was injured Wednesday in what is reported to be an ambush attack.

The officers were shot while responding to a domestic violence call at a residence in Bristol, Connecticut, state police said.

Bristol Police Chief Brian Gould identified the slain officers as Sgt. Dustin DeMonte, 35, and Officer Alex Hamzy, 34. The third officer, Alex Iurato, 26, was taken to the hospital for surgery and is recovering, WTNH-TV reported.

Police said the officers responded to a domestic violence call involving two siblings Wednesday night. When they arrived, they were met by a man outside the home.

“Shots were fired, fatally wounding one officer on scene,” state police Sgt. Christine Jelteman said at a news conference Thursday.

The two other officers were hit by gunfire, Jelteman said. One died at the hospital and the other was seriously wounded and treated for his injuries.

The suspected gunman, Nicholas Brutcher, was also fatally shot, and his brother was shot and wounded, Jelteman said. Police believe the 911 call was meant to lure officers to the scene for an ambush.

ABC News reported that the gunman used an AR-15-style rifle.

"Our community has been rocked," Gould told reporters.

DeMonte "was assigned to our patrol division and was a school resource officer," the police chief said. "He was also an adviser for the Bristol police explorer cadet program. Throughout his career he has received several awards, including the Silver Star, officer of the month and co-recipient for Officer of the Year in 2019."

He is survived by his wife and two children, with a third on the way, Gould said.

Hamzy, who grew up in Bristol, is survived by his wife, the chief said.

Iurato was released from a Hartford hospital Thursday morning and was greeted by fellow police officers and applause.

Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont (D) ordered flags in the state to be lowered to half-staff in honor of the officers.

"I am directing flags in Connecticut lowered to half-staff effective immediately in honor of two Bristol Police officers who were killed in the line of duty late last night while responding to an emergency call of domestic violence at a private residence in town," Lamont said in a statement.

"This is a senseless tragedy, and my prayers are with their families, loved ones, and fellow officers. I also ask the residents of CT to keep in their prayers a third officer who was shot and is currently in the hospital with serious injures," the governor added.

"This is a devastating reminder of the dangers that police officers face every day to protect our families and neighbors from all kinds of situations. These officers are heroes and will always be remembered for the honorable service they provided to their town and state. This continues to be an active situation, and I’ve directed DESPP Commissioner James Rovella and the CT State Police to support Bristol police and the greater community in every way they can."

More from WTNH: