A 19-year-old Arizona man is facing a first-degree murder charge after his younger brother was killed in a shocking parking lot incident that police say stemmed from road rage.
The tragedy unfolded on the evening of Sept. 13 outside a Starbucks in Yuma, where police and firefighters responded to reports of a collision around 7:57 p.m. Seventeen-year-old Javier Figueroa was found unresponsive at the scene. He was rushed to a nearby hospital but pronounced dead shortly after.
Authorities later identified Javier’s older brother, 19-year-old Juan Figueroa, as the driver of the car. Booking records show Juan was taken into custody hours later and charged with first-degree murder and attempted murder. He is being held on a $500,000 bond.
Investigators believe the deadly incident stemmed from a fight between Javier, Juan, and a 36-year-old man whose name has not been released. Police allege the confrontation escalated into a violent altercation, during which Juan struck his younger brother with his car. The older man was questioned and later released.
According to a probable cause statement obtained by local outlet KYMA, the 36-year-old man told police the Figueroa brothers tried to attack him with a knife, which led to a physical fight with Javier. Juan allegedly told investigators he was trying to hit the man with his car to protect his brother, but instead struck Javier.
The boys’ father, Joseph Figueroa, says his sons called him during the chaos, claiming they were being chased. “I told them to hang up and call 911 because the police station was just down the street, but I guess they didn’t make it,” he told Fox 8.
Heartbroken, Joseph said his sons were inseparable. “I’m trying to bury one son and bail the other one. I need to know the truth, so I can help him,” he said.
Javier, who was just weeks away from turning 18, is being remembered as a beloved brother and son. A GoFundMe has been launched to help the family cover funeral expenses and provide support during what loved ones are calling an unthinkable loss.
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The 36 year old must have had a good story. What was the altercation all about ? Apparently the author of the article did not ask any questions. Maybe the 36 year old had the knife and Javier thought he was trying to kill Juan and attempted to drive the vehicle between them. Why did Javier leave Juan in the middle of a fight ? Too many questions and the article is a waste of time to read because the real answers are not here and the 36 year old’s story must have been a good one whereby he was set free.
Daddy should have taught his kids the meaning of respect. Instead of getting into a fight with an adult they should have gotten into their car and after locking the doors called 911. Bad move. Sorry for the loss of the brother and possibly the loss of the elder one as well.