13-year-old boy fatally shot 'always happy' grandpa on Denver bus because his leg was blocking the aisle: Police



A 13-year-old boy shot and killed a Colorado grandpa on a Denver bus because the 60-year-old man's leg was blocking the aisle, according to police.

Around 6:41 p.m. on Jan. 27, a dispute erupted on a Regional Transportation District bus in Denver, according to KDVR.

The confrontation purportedly was sparked over the grandfather's leg being in the aisle of the bus, which allegedly enraged a 13-year-old passenger. The argument escalated to the point that the 13-year-old suspect shot and killed 60-year-old Richard Sanchez, according to law enforcement.

"At this stage of the investigation, it appears there was a verbal exchange between the suspect and victim about the victim’s leg blocking the aisle on the bus, and the suspect then shot the victim," the Denver Police Department said in a press release on Friday.

Sanchez was rushed to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

A second person was wounded in the shooting, but was medically treated at the crime scene.

The boy accused of the fatal shooting was arrested on Thursday. He is being held on investigation of first-degree murder, the Denver Police Department stated. The official charges for the juvenile suspect will be determined by the Denver District Attorney’s office.

The investigation into the bus shooting is ongoing.

Sanchez was fatally shot just a few blocks away from his home, family members said.

The family of the slain man said they were not informed he was killed until they contacted police to report him missing.

"It’s been hard because we didn’t know where he was at, and the whole time, he was at the hospital, and they didn’t contact us," Sanchez’s grandson, Joseph Chavez, told KDVR on Tuesday.

"I was really heartbroken, honestly,” Chavez continued. "I don’t understand how someone could do that to such an honest person. It’s been hard because we didn’t know where he was at, and the whole time, he was at the hospital, and they didn’t contact us. Nobody was there with him during his last breath."

Chavez noted that his grandpa was "always happy," and a "really happy dude."

At least 178 passengers were assaulted or injured while using Regional Transportation District transit in 2021 and the first two months of 2022.

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Box of human heads stolen in Denver; police are investigating



A box containing human heads intended for scientific research was stolen from a freight truck in Denver, Colorado, last week, according to police.

The incident occurred sometime between Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning while the truck was parked in Denver’s Central Park neighborhood, the Denver Post reported. That's when thieves allegedly broke into the truck and made off with the human specimens and a dolly.

Police reportedly noted the blue-and-white cardboard box was clearly marked with a label reading "Exempt Human Specimen." Science Care, the research company transporting the box, displayed its logo on every side.

According to the Post, an investigation is ongoing but no arrests have been made. Police are asking the public to come forward with any information.

The lingering questions: Why would thieves target such macabre items? What possible purpose could the heads serve outside of use for medical research?

At this point, it's unclear if the thief or thieves were aware of what was inside the box prior to breaking into the truck and making off with the contents.

Adding to the mystery, Denver resident Isaac Fields told KDVR-TV that the neighborhood where the theft occurred is residential and family-oriented. It's characterized by families being out and about, children getting off the bus from school, and people out walking the dogs, the outlet noted.

"[It's] pretty shocking," Fields said of the crime and the setting. "I guess I don’t see too many strange things happening around here usually, but you know you never know."

"Wow! I would have been so terrified," he exclaimed.

According to Science Care's website, the organization is "a body donation to science program that helps future generations through improved scientific research and education."

The human heads were on their way to being used in medical research.

"My wife actually does Ph.D. research at the University of Colorado Anschutz," Fields added. "So cadavers are definitely utilized in certain situations. And I’m assuming that was probably the case."

Anyone who might find the box, either discarded or abandoned, is asked to call the police and report the information.