Westminster Road-Rage Shooting: Jeremy Webster Charged

WESTMINSTER, CO – The alleged shooter in a Westminster road-rage incident that killed a teen boy and injured his mother, another boy and a bystander was formally charged Thursday.

Jeremy Webster, 23 is charged with two counts of first-degree murder, one "after deliberation with intent" and the second first-degree murder "with extreme indifference." The second count, which was also used to charge the Aurora Theater shooter in 2012, is a murder charge for homicide that shows "manifesting extreme indifference to the value of human life generally," according to state statutes. Webster was also charged with three counts of attempted murder, four counts of first degree assault, attempted assault and criminal attempt to commit a Class One felony.

He is being held in Adams County jail with no bail, for the June 14 death of Vaughn Bigelow Jr., 13, the 5th Judicial District Attorney's office said.

Webster, 23, of Colorado Springs allegedly got into a road altercation with driver Meghan Bigelow, 41, near the intersection of Sheridan Boulevard and Turnpike Drive, according to an arrest affidavit. Bigelow was taking her children to the dentist's office in the Cedarwood Square Office Complex at 80th Avenue and Sheridan Boulevard. Around 3:04 p.m., Webster, driving a black Toyota four-door, followed Bigelow's car into the dentist office parking lot. Bigelow took a photograph of Webster's car and license plate with her phone, and Webster exited his car and confronted her.

He then allegedly pulled out a Glock 19 pistol and shot Bigelow and her two sons multiple times. Bigelow and 8-year-old son Asa were critically injured, while Vaughn later died of his wounds at a hospital. Her son Cooper managed to run into a building without being wounded, and called 911.

Webster also allegedly shot John Gale, 40, unrelated to the Bigelow family, who was sitting in his parked pickup truck with his daughter when he appeared to make eye contact with Webster, witnesses told police. Gale, who was wounded in both arms was able to back out his truck and drive away from the scene. He was treated and is expected to recover. His daughter was unharmed, the affidavit said.

Police were able to recover the photo of Webster's car from Bigelow's phone and issued an alert for a "vehicle of interest" with his license plate number. A wildlife officer spotted Webster's Toyota heading southbound on I-25 and he was taken into custody about 6 p.m. by a Colorado State Patrol officer.

Many employees and visitors to the office building and neighboring businesses were locked inside for hours and told to shelter in place while police examined the crime scene and interviewed witnesses.

Once in custody, Webster told Westminster police he suffered from mental illness and he had recently changed to a new medication, the affidavit said. He reportedly waived his Miranda rights, admitted to the shootings and told police the Glock was in the trunk of his car.

Webster had no criminal history in Colorado, but passed a background check in 2015 to get his marijuana license to be able to work in the industry. "License due to expire in two weeks,"tweeted Reporter Rob Lowe. Webster had addresses in New Jersey before moving to Colorado in 2014.

A GoFundMe account for expenses for the Bigelow family, of Broomfield, raised almost $175,000 in just five days.

The Bigelow family shared updates on the conditions of Meghan and Asa with 9news via an online website called CaringBridge.

"One way any person can help is by donating blood. Blood donations and incredible trauma doctors & staff saved Asa and Meghan’s lives," the TV channel posted. "The family asks that you consider donating blood in memorial of Vaughn Bigelow Jr. Visit Bonfils.org to find a donor center near you or make a drop in donation at Children’s Hospital.”

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Webster in the Adams County Courthouse in Brighton at 8:30 a.m. on July 17.

Related: Westminster Road-Rage Shooting: Fund Raises Donations For Family

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Related: Westminster Shooting: Child Dies, 3 Injured, Man In Custody

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Image via Westchester Police