The incident unfolded when the victim, Ponciano Chano Tule Bernal, and his son sought the return of a scooter that had been stolen earlier. During the confrontation, despite pleas from his son to let it go, Bernal confronted the alleged thief, leading to a tragic outcome. According to the GoFundMe page setup after the incident, the situation escalated with the confrontation becoming deadly when the teen pointed a gun and shot Bernal in the heart, resulting in his immediate death.
Authorities state that 15-year-old Neal Cox, who has been charged with murder and robbery, is currently being treated as a juvenile under state law. This severely limits the potential prison time he could face if convicted, with incarceration lasting only until his 25th birthday. Despite the serious nature of the charges, Cox’s status as a juvenile affords him certain protections and keeps him in the juvenile hall while awaiting trial. This case highlights ongoing issues with youth crime in the city.
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