New Mexico Boy, 11, Detained in Connection to Fatal Hit-and-Run of Bicyclist

Albuquerque, New Mexico – In a chilling case that has gripped the state of New Mexico, an 11-year-old boy has been taken into custody in connection with the hit-and-run death of a 63-year-old bicyclist that occurred in May of last year. The Albuquerque Police Department (APD) announced the development this week, adding a new layer of complexity to a case that already involved shocking details of premeditation and callous disregard for human life.

The 11-year-old was apprehended on Tuesday and is currently undergoing evaluation by the New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Department (CYFD). This is not the first time the boy has been in the custody of authorities. He was previously evaluated by CYFD in June 2024 after being taken into custody for unrelated crimes, signaling a pattern of escalating behavior that had already raised concerns among law enforcement officials.

The victim, identified as Scott Habermehl, was tragically killed on the morning of May 29, 2024, while cycling to his job at Sandia National Laboratory. Habermehl was riding in a designated bike lane when he was struck by a silver or gray sedan. The circumstances surrounding his death are particularly disturbing, as video footage captured from inside the vehicle allegedly shows the three boys – the 11-year-old, a 13-year-old, and a 15-year-old – planning the act.

According to police reports, the 13-year-old was behind the wheel, the 11-year-old occupied the passenger seat, and the 15-year-old was in the back. The video, later uploaded to Instagram, provides a harrowing glimpse into the minds of the young suspects, allegedly revealing their intent to harm the bicyclist.

The investigation took a significant turn in February when an anonymous tipster alerted police to the existence of the video on Instagram. The case was subsequently transferred to the homicide unit on February 25. Further amplifying the reach of the disturbing content, a student reported the video to a principal at Albuquerque Public Schools, prompting the school division to contact law enforcement.

The APD had previously seized phones belonging to the 11-year-old and the 13-year-old in June 2024 as part of a separate investigation. With warrants in hand, detectives were able to access the phones and the juveniles’ social media accounts, where they discovered multiple video clips featuring the three boys, including the damning footage of the crash.

On March 14, officials formally charged the 13-year-old and the 15-year-old in connection with Habermehl’s death. The 13-year-old was taken into custody on March 17. As of Wednesday morning, the 15-year-old remained at large, with police actively searching for him. Both the 13-year-old and the 15-year-old face a litany of charges, including an open count of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, leaving the scene of an accident involving great bodily harm or death, and unlawful possession of a handgun by a person.

The question of whether the boys will be tried as adults remains unanswered. The Office of the Second Judicial District Attorney in New Mexico has declined to comment on the matter, citing the ongoing investigation. The decision will likely hinge on a complex evaluation of factors, including the severity of the crime, the suspects’ maturity levels, and the availability of resources within the juvenile justice system.

The 11-year-old’s involvement in the case has been particularly concerning for law enforcement. Due to his age, he is considered too young to be charged with murder under New Mexico law. Detectives are working closely with the district attorney’s office and CYFD to determine the appropriate charges, which could range from accessory to a crime to other forms of juvenile delinquency.

The APD has revealed that the 11-year-old was involved in a string of other crimes in the weeks leading up to Habermehl’s death. He was identified as a suspect in several electronic doorbell thefts on May 11, 2024. Prior to that, he had been listed as a missing endangered juvenile by the Torrance County Sheriff’s Office.

On May 17, 2024, a store robbery occurred in which a stolen vehicle was backed into the store, and multiple individuals exited the vehicle to steal beer, cigarettes, and other items before fleeing in another vehicle. The damages were estimated to exceed $15,000. Police identified the 11-year-old as a suspect in this case as well, alleging that he used a camera or phone to record the robbery.

A May 2024 criminal complaint against the 11-year-old paints a troubling picture of a young individual spiraling into increasingly violent behavior. Officials claim that the boy “shows a clear pattern of misconduct that is escalating in violence.” The complaint further states that his actions are creating a dangerous situation for the citizens of Albuquerque and himself.

Adding to the gravity of the situation, police allege that the 11-year-old was in the passenger seat waving a handgun as his side of the car struck Habermehl. He reportedly laughed as the collision occurred. Following Habermehl’s death, the 11-year-old has been implicated in multiple shootings, as well as additional burglaries.

He was named in a June 2024 shooting where a teen was shot in the hand. A search of the home where the shooting took place yielded firearms and law enforcement equipment, including a bulletproof vest, that had been stolen from police vehicles.

Albuquerque Chief of Police Harold Medina expressed his concerns about the escalating violence involving the 11-year-old and other teenagers. "While nobody wants to arrest an 11-year-old boy, the evidence suggests he and other teens were driving serious crime in these neighborhoods," Medina stated in late June. "We were concerned about the escalating level of violence this child was engaging in, and we were lucky someone wasn’t killed."

The video taken the night of the fatal hit-and-run provides further insight into the mindset of the boys involved. In the footage, one of the boys is heard urging the driver to “hurry up” and hit the bicyclist before he started to turn. The subsequent conversation, as recounted by police, reveals a chilling discussion about the degree of force to be used:

• 15-year-old: Don’t hit him hella fast. Just bump him, brah.
• 13-year-old: Like, bump him?
• 15-year-old: Yeah. Just bump him. Go like 15, 20.

The Albuquerque Public Schools spokesperson, who alerted police about the video, issued a statement emphasizing the importance of students reporting suspicious activity. "We go to great lengths to encourage members of our school communities to say something if they see something, and we’re glad the individual who saw the video spoke up," the spokesperson wrote. The statement highlights the critical role that community vigilance plays in addressing and preventing such tragedies. The case continues to unfold as investigators piece together the events leading up to Habermehl’s death and determine the appropriate course of action for the young individuals involved.