2 Teens Facing Murder Charges Following Deadly Hit-and-Run

A 13-year-old boy has been charged with murder after allegedly deliberately hitting and killing a 63-year-old cyclist in a stolen car.

Key Insights

A 13-year-old driver and 15-year-old passenger have been charged with murder after the younger teen allegedly struck and killed a bicyclist in Albuquerque.
The fatal hit-and-run was reportedly captured on video from inside the stolen vehicle, with audio revealing the teens planning to hit the cyclist.
The victim, Scott Dwight Habermehl, was a 63-year-old physicist who worked at Sandia National Laboratory for 30 years.
An 11-year-old was also allegedly involved in the incident but is too young to be charged with murder under current laws.
The disturbing video was reported to police after being circulated on social media and brought to a middle school principal’s attention.

Teens Charged in Deliberate Hit-and-Run Murder

Albuquerque police have charged a 13-year-old boy with murder in the hit-and-run death of a bicyclist last year. The teenager, believed to be the driver of a stolen vehicle, faces multiple charges including murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and unlawful possession of a handgun. A 15-year-old passenger in the vehicle has been charged with similar offenses, while authorities are still determining what charges an 11-year-old participant might face given his young age.

According to authorities, all three of the juveniles have been taken into custody. The identities of the juveniles have not been released, following standard practice with minors accused of crimes.

13-Year-Old Charged with Murder in 'Planned' and Filmed Hit-and-Run of Bicyclist That Was Later Posted on Social Media https://t.co/pb58w5rjST

— People (@people) March 19, 2025

Video Evidence Reveals Disturbing Plan

What makes this case particularly disturbing is that the entire incident was captured on video from inside the stolen vehicle. The footage, which was later circulated on social media, includes audio of the teenagers allegedly planning to strike the bicyclist. In the recording, the 15-year-old can reportedly be heard telling the driver to “Just bump him, brah,” moments before the fatal collision, after the 13-year-old allegedly expressed intent to hit the bicyclist.

The video came to light after being reported to police by a middle school principal. A student at the school had flagged the disturbing content to administrators, who promptly contacted law enforcement. This discovery was crucial in helping investigators identify the suspects in what might otherwise have remained an unsolved hit-and-run case.

Victim Was Respected Scientist and Father

The victim, 63-year-old Scott Dwight Habermehl, was riding his bicycle to work at Sandia National Laboratory when he was struck and killed. Habermehl was a highly educated physicist with a PhD who had worked as an engineer at the laboratory for 30 years.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Habermehl was described as an avid outdoorsman with a passion for wild spaces and adventure. He leaves behind a wife and two sons who have had to grapple with the tragic nature of his death.

Similar Cases Raise Concerns About Troubling Trend

This isn’t the first case of its kind. In 2023, a similar incident occurred in Las Vegas, also involving teenage boys who recorded themselves planning to strike a bicyclist. Such incidents of violence have raised concerns among officials. Speaking of the Albuquerque hit-and-run, New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said, “This case is an appalling and heartbreaking reminder of the serious juvenile crime crisis we face in New Mexico––and our lack of tools to properly address it.”

At 13 years old, the primary suspect is among the youngest ever to be charged with murder in New Mexico. The 11-year-old’s involvement presents an even more complicated legal situation, as he falls below the age threshold for most serious juvenile charges in many jurisdictions.