Rock throwing death in Colorado: Murder charges filed against teens

DENVER — The three teenagers accused of killing a Denver-area driver last month by throwing a landscaping rock through her windshield have been formally charged with committing murder with extreme indifference and a dozen other counts.

Court records show the three face 13 identical charges: one count of first-degree murder with extreme indifference, six counts of attempted first-degree murder, three counts of second-degree assault and three counts of attempted second-degree assault. In Colorado, the "extreme indifference" charge indicates prosecutors believe a suspect intended to kill someone but didn't have a specific target.

Bartell's family mourned their loss in a statement: "Our beautiful Alexa ... was struck by a large rock thrown through the windshield of her car, tragically taking her life. This was not an accident, but instead – an intentional act of violence and malice by 3 strangers."

PREVIOUSLY Teens arrested in connection with Colorado rock-throwing death took photo to keep as 'memento'

The three teens were set for a court appearance Wednesday to be formally advised of the charges. Some of the other charges appear to reflect investigators' belief the teens threw rocks at least seven vehicles that same night.

What happened, according to authorities

Investigators say two of the teens confessed to previously throwing items at passing cars, and that they admitted to throwing the rock through the windshield of Alexa Bartell, 20, who died April 19. On that night, investigators said, the teens loaded up the bed of a pickup with melon-size landscaping stones and began hurling them at vehicles. The teens allegedly sped around a suburban area at up to 75 mph, using military or gaming terms to coordinate their attacks.

Investigators said they used cellphone tracking and DNA evidence to connect the three to Bartell's death. An arrest affidavit portrays a callous and gleeful attack on strangers, including their alleged decision to take pictures of Bartell's crashed car but not stop to help her.

Who has been charged?

Facing charges are Joseph Koenig, Nicholas “Mitch” Karol-Chik and Zachary Kwak, all 18.

In court documents, investigators said two of the teens confessed.

"Mitch again stated it was Zach who threw the 'fatal' rock at Alexis' vehicle. When they turned around to see Alexis' vehicle, they drove past it northbound, and turned around southbound. Joe slowed the vehicle so that Zach could take a photo of it. Mitch noted that he felt 'a hint of guilt,'" an investigator wrote. "As they passed where the vehicle had stopped, Zachary used his cellphone to take a picture of the vehicle. When asked why, he replied that he thought Joseph or Mitch would want it as a memento."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Rock throwing death in Colorado: Murder charges for teens