Zachary Kwak, 19, admitted to his involvement in a series of rock-throwing attacks that resulted in the death of 20-year-old Alexa Bartell in Denver last year.
Zachary Kwak, a Colorado teenager, has pleaded guilty to charges stemming from a deadly rock-throwing spree that claimed the life of a 20-year-old woman in Denver last year.
Kwak, 19, along with two accomplices, Joseph Koenig and Nicholas "Mitch" Karol-Chik, embarked on a series of reckless attacks on April 19, 2023, targeting unsuspecting vehicles with landscaping rocks. Their actions resulted in the tragic death of Alexa Bartell, who was struck by a rock that pierced her windshield while she was driving.
As part of a plea deal, Kwak admitted to charges of first-degree assault, second-degree assault, and criminal attempt to commit assault. He will face a prison sentence of no less than 20 years and no more than 32 years. His sentencing is scheduled for September 3rd.
Prosecutors revealed that the trio, who were all 18 years old at the time, had planned their attack at a Walmart store, where they acquired the rocks for their malicious acts. Throughout the night, they struck six vehicles with rocks, causing injuries to several drivers.
Bartell's fatal injury occurred just before 11 p.m. as she drove while talking on the phone with a friend. Investigators estimated that the suspects were traveling at around 80 mph when they hit her windshield. After the impact, the suspects turned back to observe the damage, with Kwak allegedly taking a photograph of the victim's vehicle as a "memento."
Koenig is alleged to have declared the group "blood brothers" after Bartell's death. Karol-Chik told investigators that Kwak became excited when he hit vehicles with rocks.
Investigators utilized cellphone data to identify the suspects, who shared a common phone number that pinged at various crime scenes. Kwak and Koenig were identified as the suspects responsible for throwing the fatal rock.
Bartell's family was present in court for Kwak's guilty plea and were visibly emotional. They declined to comment after the proceedings.
The cases against Koenig and Karol-Chik remain ongoing. All three suspects were initially charged with murder in the first degree with extreme indifference.
