16-Year-Old Runaway Asked Woman for a Ride. When She Refused, He Allegedly Shot Her Dead

A 16-year-old runaway in Idaho is being held on a $1 million bond after allegedly shooting a woman in the head at her trailer-park home.

Authorities identified the victim as 30-year-old Rebecca Rivera and the suspect as 16-year-old Bobby G. Jackson, according to a press release from the Blackfoot Police Department. Officers launched a homicide investigation on Oct. 23 after responding to a home in the 1100 block of South Broadway.

Local outlets — including KIFI Local News 8, EastIdahoNews.com, and CBS2 Idaho News — reported that Jackson arrived at Rivera’s home shortly after 12:40 p.m., asked her for a ride, and shot her when she refused. Investigators later wrote in a probable cause affidavit that Jackson confessed, allegedly saying, “I put a bullet in her brain,” as cited by East Idaho News, KSL, and Law&Crime.

After an overnight manhunt, police arrested Jackson in Pocatello around 2:30 a.m. on Oct. 24. Later that day, he was charged as an adult with first-degree murder and ordered held on a $1 million bond at the 3B Detention Facility, according to an updated statement from the Blackfoot Police Department.

Before his capture, police warned that Jackson was “extremely dangerous.” He was last seen around 12:30 p.m. on Oct. 23 near Highway 91 and Riverton Road, wearing blue Levi’s, a light plaid jacket, cowboy boots, and a dark T-shirt. Residents were urged to lock their doors and remain alert.

Detectives said their preliminary findings suggest Jackson stole a firearm before the killing and had already been reported as a runaway.

“Our hearts go out to the Rivera family, our community, and all those affected by this tragic crime,” the department said in a statement.