An 11-year-old boy faces a murder charge in connection with the death of his 5-year-old brother, according to Colorado prosecutors.
The Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office said the 5-year-old boy died at a home on South Jericho Way in Centennial, a city just south of Denver. The sheriff’s office was called to the home about 5:30 p.m. on March 10. Investigators are still working to determine how the victim died, KUSA reported.
The sheriff’s office said that the suspect is the victim’s 11-year-old brother. He was being held in a youth services center on charges of first-degree murder, the sheriff’s office said.
In an update on Tuesday, prosecutors said the 11-year-old has been formally charged with first-degree murder.
Prosecutors said a child aged 10 or older can be charged with a crime in Colorado, but a child must be at least 12 years old for the case to qualify to be moved to adult court. Because of the child’s age, the case will remain in juvenile court, and court records won’t be publicly available.
Timberline Elementary School in Centennial said in a message to families that the victim was a kindergartener at the school.
“He was just very playful and very nice,” neighbor Mike Douglas told 9NEWS. “Always wanting to interact.”
