Beth McCann

District Attorney

Second Judical District

370 17th Street, Suite 5300,
Denver, CO 80202

720-913-2000
Beth.McCann@denverda.org

News Release

March 1, 2021 Contact: Carolyn Tyler, Communications Director, carolyn.tyler@denverda.org, 720-913-9025

Denver District Attorney Files Charges in the Murder of Pamela Cabriales

DENVER—Denver District Attorney Beth McCann announced that her office has charged a 14-year old male juvenile and 18-year old Neshan Johnson with the murder of 32-year old Pamela Cabriales. Ms. Cabriales was shot in the head while sitting in her car on Saturday night, February 20, 2021, at Colfax Avenue and I-25 in Denver. Paramedics transported Ms. Cabriales to Denver Health Medical Center where she later died. The Denver Office of the Medical Examiner ruled her death a homicide.

Prosecutors allege the male juvenile shot Ms. Cabriales while Neshan Johnson drove the car. Both evaded capture until the next day when a Denver police officer recognized the car from a prior incident at a McDonalds and pursued him. During the pursuit, Mr. Johnson crashed the car and he and two juveniles ran from the accident scene. DPD Metro Swat and K-9 Units searched the area and found Johnson hiding in a nearby shed. The alleged shooter and another male juvenile were also arrested.

Because of the juvenile’s age his name and arrest photo are being withheld. He is charged with two counts of murder in the first degree (F1), one count of criminal attempt to commit murder in the first degree with extreme indifference (F2), one count of criminal attempt to commit assault in the first degree with extreme indifference (F4), and with two counts of the sentencing enhancing charge of being an aggravated juvenile offender. His case number is 21JD00074.

Prosecutors also charged Neshan Johnson with two counts of murder in the first degree (F1), one count of criminal attempt to commit murder in the first degree with extreme indifference (F2), one count of criminal attempt to commit assault in the first degree with extreme indifference (F4), and one count of vehicular eluding (F5). This is Denver District Court case number 21CR20003 and is being heard in courtroom 5C.

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The filing of a criminal charge is merely a formal accusation that an individual(s) committed a crime(s) under Colorado laws. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. See Colo. RPC 3.6.