13-Year-Old Accused of Hitting, Killing Cyclist With Stolen Vehicle

A 13-year-old boy in Albuquerque faces murder charges after allegedly striking and killing a 63-year-old cyclist in a stolen car, with the horrific incident captured on video and later circulated on social media.

Key Takeaways

A 13-year-old driver and 15-year-old passenger have been charged with murder after the younger teen allegedly hit and killed a 63-year-old bicyclist in Albuquerque with a stolen vehicle.
The fatal hit-and-run was recorded from inside the vehicle and circulated on social media, with audio capturing the teenagers planning the attack.
An 11-year-old involved in the incident is too young to be charged with murder, but authorities are determining possible charges.
The victim, Scott Dwight Habermehl, was a physicist who worked at Sandia National Laboratory for 30 years.
The video evidence was reported to police by a middle school principal after being flagged by a student.

Alleged Deliberate Attack Caught on Camera

Albuquerque authorities have charged a 13-year-old boy with murder following a fatal hit-and-run incident that claimed the life of 63-year-old bicyclist Scott Dwight Habermehl last year. The teenager, believed to be the driver of a stolen vehicle, is accused of deliberately striking Habermehl while he was riding to work at Sandia National Laboratory. The incident was captured on video from inside the vehicle, with audio recording the teenagers planning the attack. The footage later circulated on social media.

The 13-year-old has been charged with multiple offenses including murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and unlawful possession of a handgun. A 15-year-old passenger in the vehicle faces similar charges. Authorities are still searching for the 15-year-old who was also involved in the incident. Because of his age, the 11-year-old cannot be charged with murder, but police are working with the district attorney’s office and child welfare officials to determine appropriate charges.

A 13-year-old boy has been charged with murder in a fatal hit-and-run of a bicyclist in Albuquerque that was captured on video from inside the stolen car, law enforcement said Monday. https://t.co/Nn7jmCGDcw

— Santa Fe New Mexican (@thenewmexican) March 19, 2025

Video Evidence Leads to Arrests

The incriminating video surfaced when a middle school principal reported it to police after a student flagged its existence. In the recording, one of the teenagers can be heard planning the attack. According to police reports, the 15-year-old can be heard saying, “Just bump him, brah,” moments before the fatal collision. This critical piece of evidence not only documented the crime but also established the premeditated nature of the attack, elevating the charges to murder rather than mere vehicular homicide.

The 13-year-old was already reportedly on juvenile probation, which made it easier for police to locate and arrest him. Due to their status as juveniles, authorities have not released the names of the accused, which aligns with standard protocol for minors facing criminal charges. This case bears similarities to another incident that occurred in Las Vegas in 2023, where teenage boys recorded themselves planning to hit a bicyclist.

Remembering the Victim

The victim, Scott Dwight Habermehl, was a respected physicist with a PhD who had dedicated 30 years of his life to working as an engineer at Sandia National Laboratories. Known as an outdoorsman with a passion for wild spaces and adventure, Habermehl leaves behind a wife and two sons. His tragic and senseless death has shocked the Albuquerque community and his colleagues at the laboratory, where he was commuting by bicycle at the time of the incident.

This case highlights growing concerns about juvenile crime, especially violent offenses facilitated or documented through technology. The role of social media in both documenting the crime and ultimately leading to the suspects’ identification represents a troubling paradox of modern technology – serving as both an accessory to criminal behavior and a critical tool for law enforcement. The deliberate nature of the attack and the young ages of those allegedly involved could raise discussions about juvenile justice and appropriate consequences for such serious crimes.