11-year-old Colorado boy suspected of murdering 5-year-old brother

Colorado authorities have detained an 11-year-old boy who is suspected of killing his 5-year-old brother, who was discovered deceased at their home.

The Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office started their investigation into the death of a 5-year-old after they were called to a residence in Centennial, a Denver suburb, at about 5:30pm on Tuesday (March 10), as mentioned in a social media update.

"Everyone involved has been identified, posing no threat to the community," stated the report. A few hours later, the sheriff's office updated, indicating the 11-year-old brother is currently suspected of the killing.

"We are treating this as a homicide investigation," said the sheriff's office. "We are still determining the cause of death."

The 11-year-old suspect, whose identity has not been released, faces charges of first-degree murder and is currently held at the Marvin W. Foote Youth Services Center, as officials reported. 

Detailed circumstances of the death were not disclosed, as the sheriff's office noted it is an "active and ongoing investigation."

"Considering both children are underage, we will limit the amount of information we provide," authorities clarified.

Sheriff Tyler Brown expressed his condolences, saying, “Our thoughts remain with the family of these young boys and with everyone in our community mourning this tragedy."

"Situations like this affect not just the family but also classmates, educators, and neighbors across the community. We value the public’s understanding and support as our investigators work diligently to collect evidence and seek justice."

A spokesperson for the D.A.’s office refrained from giving further comment in a statement acquired by the Denver Gazette, though they mentioned formal charges should be expected within a week. 

The case is being processed in Juvenile Court, with no adult charges filed against the child as per current statements.