by BLACKFOOT, Idaho — A 16-year-old runaway is facing first-degree murder charges after allegedly shooting a 30-year-old woman in the head when she refused to give him a ride, according to Idaho authorities.
Tragic Shooting at a Trailer Park
The Blackfoot Police Department identified the victim as Rebecca Rivera, 30, and the suspect as Bobby G. Jackson, 16, in a press release following the deadly shooting on October 23. Officers responded to reports of gunfire around 12:40 p.m. at a trailer home on the 1100 block of South Broadway, where Rivera was found fatally wounded.
According to multiple outlets, including EastIdahoNews.com and CBS2 Idaho News, Jackson had allegedly approached Rivera’s home to ask for a ride. When she refused, he reportedly pulled out a firearm and shot her once in the head before fleeing the scene on foot.
Court documents cited by Law&Crime reveal chilling details of Jackson’s alleged confession. He reportedly told police, “I put a bullet in her brain,” after being taken into custody.
Overnight Manhunt Ends in Arrest
Following the fatal shooting, police launched an overnight manhunt and issued a community-wide alert warning that Jackson was “extremely dangerous.”
He was last seen wearing blue Levi’s jeans, a light plaid jacket, cowboy boots, and a dark T-shirt, walking near Highway 91 and Riverton Road. Residents were urged to lock their doors and remain inside while multiple law enforcement agencies, including Bingham County deputies and Idaho State Police, searched for the armed teen.
At 2:30 a.m. on October 24, the Blackfoot Police Department announced that Jackson had been captured in Pocatello, roughly 25 miles away. Authorities confirmed that there was no further danger to the public following his arrest.
Charged as an Adult
Later that day, Jackson was formally charged as an adult with first-degree murder and booked into the 3B Detention Facility. A judge ordered him to be held on a $1 million bond, citing the severity of the crime and his flight risk.
Investigators said Jackson had stolen the firearm used in the killing prior to the incident and had been reported as a runaway before arriving at Rivera’s home.
Community in Shock
The senseless nature of the crime has left residents in Blackfoot — a small city of about 12,000 people in southeastern Idaho — heartbroken and searching for answers. Rivera’s neighbors described her as kind and hardworking, often seen helping others in the trailer park.
“She didn’t deserve this — she was just trying to live her life,” said one neighbor that Rivera was well-liked and always friendly to everyone in the community.
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Police Statement and Ongoing Investigation
In a statement, the Blackfoot Police Department expressed condolences to Rivera’s family and the broader community.
“Our hearts go out to the Rivera family, our community, and all those affected by this tragic crime,” the department said.
Authorities have not disclosed where Jackson obtained the stolen gun or whether he had any prior encounters with law enforcement before running away. Detectives continue to investigate his movements leading up to the shooting and are working to determine a more complete motive.
A Cautionary Reminder
This case serves as a grim reminder of the unpredictable dangers posed by juvenile offenders with access to firearms. Law enforcement officials have urged community members to remain cautious when approached by strangers seeking assistance and to contact authorities immediately if they suspect unsafe behavior.
Jackson is expected to make his next court appearance in early November, where prosecutors plan to pursue the case to the fullest extent of Idaho law. If convicted of first-degree murder, he faces life in prison.
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