LAKE HAVASU CITY – A Lake Havasu City teenager has accepted responsibility for a high profile robbery and shooting incident at a public park, and expressed hope for self-betterment following his time in the Arizona Department of Corrections.
Ryan Nelson, 18, pleaded guilty to two aggravated charges during a Tuesday hearing in Kingman. Attempted murder and other charges are dismissed.
Judge Doug Camacho subsequently imposed the three-year prison term mandated in the plea deal reached by attorneys.
A pre-sentence report indicated an 18-year-old male identified as L.C. was the target of the robbery confrontation at the Tinnell Memorial Skate Park within Rotary Park in the 1400 block of Smoketree Avenue South last November 12. L.C. told police he previously publicly disclosed that he possessed about $6,500 in cash.
“The money was saved up from working and he carried it on him basically to `show off and be cool’ and buy things,” the report said. “People knew he had `a lot of money’ because he posted it on social media.”
Victim/witness accounts indicated that Nelson wore a mask and dark clothing as he emerged from bushes and demanded L.C.’s money.
The pre-sentence report indicated L.C. and Nelson engaged in a tug of war for control of the fanny pack that contained the cash. It said L.C. suffered a head wound during the struggle and surrendered the fanny pack when he noticed that Nelson brandished a firearm.
A discharged round reportedly struck the ground, with its ricochet injuring the ankle of another 14-year-old male identified as C.H. The younger victim was treated at the local hospital for his ankle wound while L.C. received staples to close up the two-inch gash to his head.
Nelson fled on foot, but was arrested 8 days later during investigative follow up.
His lawyer informed Judge Camacho that Nelson enjoys family support and is willing to enter a sober living facility when released from prison.
“I just want to apologize for taking up everybody’s time,” said Nelson, further indicating he thinks he’ll benefit from extended incarceration.
“This will help me and put me on the right path. I just want to do the right thing,” he said.
The mother of the juvenile victim also addressed the Court.
“I just hope that Mr. Nelson gets the help he needs,” the woman said. She said she hopes that the defendant will hurt nobody else in the future.
The Court ordered Nelson to forfeit the stolen handgun as well as an associated magazine and ammunition.
Dave Hawkins
