AURORA, Colo. — The man accused of shooting and killing a 17-year-old boy at the Aurora Town Center last month was formally charged Monday.
Kamyl Xavier Garrette, 18, appeared in court in the morning, where he learned of the charges filed against him. The teen was charged with first degree murder after deliberation. Prosecutors also filed two crime of violence sentence enhancers.
Garrette is accused of shooting and killing Nathan Poindexter, 17, in the JCPenney store of the Aurora mall on the evening of Dec. 27.
Poindexter’s uncle, Damon Jones, said an argument led to a fight and then the shooting, while Poindexter was at the mall with his family. Aspects of the crime were gang-related, officials said last week.
The incident was at least the fourth shooting at the mall last year – two of which left people dead.
New Aurora Interim Police Chief Vanessa Wilson that the department was going to make recommendations to the mall for safety changes. The two sides met last week. However, details of that meeting have yet to be released.
Garrette’s next court appearance is scheduled for Feb. 24.