11-year-old child charged with murder after woman, 62, shot dead in remote Colorado cabin leaving the town shocked
MONTROSE COUNTY, COLORADO: An 11-year-old child has been charged with murder for the fatal shooting of a 62-year-old woman in Montrose County. The authorities revealed that the shooting had taken place in a remote Colorado cabin. The Montrose County Sheriff's Office shared that they had arrested the unnamed suspect who is a minor.
The minor was accused of second-degree murder after the death of Karmen Keefauver on December 19. The deputies had responded to reports of a woman with a gunshot wound at the 16200 block of Shavano Valley Road at 9 am that morning. Police revealed that Keefauver had been discovered at the scene and was rushed to the Montrose Memorial Hospital where she eventually died. The sheriff's office and the Colorado Bureau of Investigations have determined that an 11-year-old had been involved in the shooting.
The young suspect has been held at the Grand Mesa Youth Services. The sheriff's office sent its "deepest condolences to the family of Karmen Keefauver for their tragic loss." Patrol Lieutenant Cox spoke to KKCO said, "There’s no threat to public safety at this point, we don’t have any other suspects. Tragic incidents like these affect us all, especially the Keefauver family, and our deepest condolences go out to the family."
Keefauver's relationship with the 11-year-old has not been confirmed and the police are still investigating the alleged crime. A touching picture of the victim along with her two grandchildren was shared on Facebook on December 20. A family member commented on the picture and said, "This woman had enough love to go around to a large family. She was amazing to me. I am thankful to have had her love."
The Montrose County Sheriff's Office's Facebook post read, "This case has been determined to be a homicide and the juvenile suspect was arrested and charged with 2nd-degree murder. The juvenile is currently being housed at the Grand Mesa Youth Services. The Montrose County Sheriff’s Office gives our deepest condolences to the family of Karmen Keefauver for their tragic loss."
Many social media users commented on a post by the Montrose County Sheriff's Office on Facebook. One such user shared, "This is terrible, Karmen was a wonderful, hard-working woman with a great sense of humor. She will be missed by all who knew her."
"Mid as well arrest the kids parents too... obviously not doing a very good job," another user commented. Yet another shared, "This was my Mama! I would hope that people would have the upmost respect when talking about someone's loved one!" "I don't care if they are 11... you murder someone, you are magically an adult, go right to big jail, no record sealed when you are 18," another user wrote fuming at the fact the minor would be housed in juvenile custody.
The Western Colorado Poolplayers Association (APA) also sent their condolences to the family of the victim on Facebook. The statement read, "On behalf of the Western Colorado APA, I'd like to give warm condolences. I know times are already rough, however, please keep them [the Keefauver family] in your thoughts and prayers friends!! Thank you."