A tragic incident unfolded in Denver last year when a group of teenagers engaged in a deadly rock-throwing spree that resulted in the death of a 20-year-old woman. Zachary Kwak, 19, along with Joseph Koenig and Nicholas 'Mitch' Karol-Chik, threw landscaping rocks at several cars, causing chaos and injury to multiple drivers.
The trio's actions culminated in a fatal blow to Alexa Bartell, who was driving and talking on the phone when a rock smashed through her windshield, leading to her untimely death. The suspects, all 18 at the time, had planned the reckless act earlier in the evening, picking up landscaping rocks from a Walmart parking lot and using them to target passing vehicles.
Following the tragic incident, Kwak pleaded guilty to charges of first-degree assault, second-degree assault, and criminal attempt to commit assault as part of a plea deal. He faces a sentence ranging from 20 to 32 years, with the sentencing scheduled for September 3.
Investigators revealed that the suspects had been involved in similar rock-throwing incidents for about two months before the fatal encounter with Bartell. The group's reckless behavior not only caused harm to multiple individuals but also resulted in a loss that deeply impacted Bartell's family and friends.
During the court proceedings, Bartell's family was present, visibly emotional as Kwak made his guilty plea. The gravity of the situation was evident as Kwak, dressed in a jail uniform and handcuffed, acknowledged his understanding of the charges against him.
The cases of Koenig and Karol-Chik are still ongoing, with all three initially facing charges of first-degree murder with extreme indifference. The community remains shocked by the senseless tragedy and awaits justice to be served in the wake of this devastating event.
