Scott Dwight Habermehl, a 63-year-old engineer, tragically lost his life on May 29, 2024, while cycling to work at Sandia National Laboratories around 4:40 a.m. According to details reported by USA Today, he was struck by a vehicle that then fled the scene, compounding the heartbreak of this incident.

Initially, the Albuquerque Police Department struggled to identify the occupants of the vehicle involved in this tragic hit-and-run, which was later confirmed to be stolen. Despite capturing a photograph of the car from a nearby church, they initially treated the deadly incident as an accident, unaware of the involvement of juvenile suspects.

As the investigation progressed, tips began to surface regarding a video that was circulating on social media, which appeared to capture the moments leading up to the crash from inside the vehicle. This crucial evidence ultimately enabled police to track down the three boys who were inside the car and filming the incident.

The 13-year-old driver involved in this tragic case has now been charged with the murder of Habermehl and is currently being held at the Juvenile Detention Center, as reported by People.

He faces multiple serious charges, including homicide, conspiracy to commit homicide, leaving the scene of an accident resulting in great bodily harm or death, and illegal possession of a handgun, highlighting the severity of the situation.

Additionally, an 11-year-old was present in the vehicle, and according to KOB4, he was apprehended by police on Tuesday. He is currently under the supervision of the Children, Youth, and Families Department for evaluation and further proceedings.

A 15-year-old who was also in the car, believed to have been recording the video, is facing the same charges as the others, but authorities have yet to locate him for arrest.

“I’m horrified by the video footage of a brazen, heartless killing involving three New Mexico juveniles—ages 11, 13, and 15—who targeted an innocent bicyclist,” stated New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham in a statement on Tuesday, expressing her deep concern for the incident.

“This case is an appalling and heartbreaking reminder of the severe juvenile crime crisis we face in New Mexico, and our lack of tools to properly manage it,” she continued. “Such senseless violence could potentially be prevented if we had appropriate laws in place to detain repeat juvenile offenders and provide suitable interventions.”

It wasn’t until February 2025, nine months after the tragic incident, that police received their first anonymous tip regarding a video circulating on social media, allegedly recorded from inside the vehicle. The informant provided authorities with the Instagram handle and name of the account holder, as reported by USA Today.

Additionally, a student reported the video to a middle school principal within the Albuquerque Public Schools, which prompted further police involvement to investigate the matter.

According to police, that Instagram account had already been flagged in a separate investigation, and they had also seized the phones of the 13-year-old and 11-year-old suspects. Subsequently, they obtained a warrant to search these devices.

During the search, police reported finding several clips showcasing all three suspects, along with footage of the crash itself. Based on the evidence collected, police believe the 13-year-old was driving, the 11-year-old was in the passenger seat, and the 15-year-old was in the back seat, clearly illustrating the coordinated nature of this crime.

The video that was released online, which can be viewed here on the Albuquerque Journal (viewer discretion advised), captures the moment the boys swerved into a dedicated bike lane and struck Habermehl. The audio recorded in the video suggests that the act was premeditated and intentional.

“Just bump him, brah,” a voice believed to be that of the 15-year-old suspect can allegedly be heard saying in the footage.

“Like bump him?” the driver’s voice responds, indicating a chilling conversation about the act they were about to commit.

“Yeah, just bump him. Go like 15 … 20,” the same voice replies, revealing a troubling disregard for human life.

At this point, according to the press release, the video shows the 11-year-old brandishing a handgun and laughing before ducking down as their side of the vehicle collides with the bicyclist.

The video captured the sound of “metal flexing,” according to police, as Habermehl and his bicycle flew over the passenger side of the vehicle, a grim reminder of the tragic consequences of reckless behavior.

KOB4 conducted further investigations into the criminal histories of the juvenile suspects, uncovering a troubling pattern of alleged and convicted criminal activity involving the two youngest boys.

The news outlet reported that the 11-year-old already had an “extensive criminal history,” with police linking him to “a string of crimes including shooting, burglary, and more,” raising serious concerns about the environment these youths are navigating.

Law enforcement has connected him to the same group of boys who rammed a vehicle into a convenience store, stealing beer, cigarettes, and other alcohol on May 17, 2024, leaving over $15,000 in damages. In this instance, the boys appeared to have been recording their actions, highlighting a troubling trend of delinquent behavior.

The 11-year-old was arrested on June 7 in connection with those crimes, but he was not implicated in this fatal hit-and-run until this recent week, showcasing a concerning pattern of escalating criminal behavior.

Although he has not been charged, police have stated that he is too young to face murder charges. However, authorities are collaborating with the district attorney’s office and the Children, Youth & Families Department to determine possible charges and appropriate actions moving forward.

KOB4 also explored the criminal history of the 13-year-old suspect, revealing that he allegedly committed additional crimes on the same day that Habermehl was tragically killed.

The 13-year-old was reportedly involved in various alleged crimes during the spring of 2024, including a school break-in on April 27 that resulted in property damage and other charges. In that case, he pleaded guilty to one charge and received a year of probation, indicating a troubling trend of criminal behavior at a young age.

He allegedly stole a vehicle on May 2, which police have linked to further crimes alleged on May 12, when he reportedly assaulted four individuals, and May 29—the day of Habermehl’s murder—when he allegedly shot from a vehicle and targeted a building, escalating his criminal activity to a dangerous level.