16-year-old pleads innocent in robbery and murder of fleeing Pasco student
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- Kennewick teen pleads innocent to murder and robbery in July 6 shooting.
- Prosecutors seek to try both teen suspects as adults under Washington law.
- Victim Paul Jacobo remembered by peers as joyful and community-oriented.
A 16-year-old pleaded innocent to his alleged role in the murder of a Pasco student during a botched robbery earlier this month.
Edwin J. Magana of Kennewick appeared by video from the Benton Franklin Juvenile Detention Center to face charges of second-degree murder, first-degree robbery and drive-by shooting.
The teen is being held at the juvenile center in Kennewick with bail set at $750,000. He has been charged as an adult under a state law that allows 16- and 17-year-olds to be automatically transferred to adult court for certain serious crimes.
Prosecutors already have filed a motion to transfer Magana’s 15-year-old co-defendant Moises Palomino Rodriguez to adult court. He is also charged with second-degree murder.
The two teens are accused of firing at Paul Jacobo, 18, as he ran from a Jeep on July 6, court documents said. One of those shots hit him in the back.
A witness told investigators that he was with Jacobo when they met with Magana and Palomino Rodriguez. As they were talking, Magana pulled out a gun and tried to rip a necklace off Jacobo’s neck.
Magana allegedly dropped the gun that had no magazine. Jacobo picked it up and ran but someone inside the Jeep opened fire at him before driving away.
The shooting was caught on a home security video.
New Horizons student
Family members and friends remembered Jacobo as the type of person who had a special way of bringing people together, showed the teen’s obituary.
“Always dancing, rapping, joking around or simply being his wonderfully goofy self, he made it his mission to keep everyone smiling,” they said. “His infectious energy and bright spirit turned ordinary days into treasured memories.”
Jacobo, a New Horizons High School student, planned to return to class next year, said Anna Tensmeyer with the Pasco School District.
His teachers also echoed that he brought people together in his class, according to comments left on his obituary at Einan’s at Hillcrest.
“Oh Jacobo, you were a light,” one New Horizon’s staff member said. “You didn’t know it, but you had such a profound impact on so many of us at NHHS. You will be in our hearts forever.”