A 14-year-old gang member in Colorado who used an assault rifle to take the life of a young mother during a street confrontation has been sentenced to life in prison, with the possibility of parole after 40 years. The heartbreaking incident took place in Denver, leaving a community grieving and a young child without a mother.
Remi Cordova, now convicted, was sentenced for the killing of 32-year-old Pamela Cabriales, a loving mom described as joyful and hardworking. Denver District Attorney Beth McCann announced the verdict, emphasizing the gravity of Cordova’s actions and the pain inflicted on Pamela’s family and friends.
The tragedy unfolded on February 20, 2021, at a red light near Colfax Avenue and Interstate 25 in Denver. Pamela was sitting in her car when a minor fender bender escalated into a senseless act of violence. Cordova, a passenger in a car driven by another teen, Neshan Johnson, believed that Pamela’s car had tapped theirs. According to court documents, Cordova asked Johnson, “Can I bust on them?” Johnson responded, “Do what you gotta do, that’s on you.”
Cordova then stepped out of the car with an AR-15 rifle and fired 15 to 20 shots into Pamela’s vehicle. Tragically, she suffered severe injuries and passed away in the hospital a few days later. A driver in a car behind Pamela’s was also in the line of fire but miraculously escaped unharmed.
Pamela’s brother, Alex Cabriales, shared the devastating details of her injuries, saying, “The whole top of her head was blown off. Her brain was exposed.” He called for the community to understand the brutality of what had happened. “My sister was beautiful,” he said, mourning her loss.
Cordova’s defense argued that his troubled childhood played a role in his actions, but he denied responsibility for the crime. In court, he told Pamela’s family, “I feel for y’all, I understand completely… the pain that you guys feel. But I cannot take responsibility for something that I did not do.”
Prosecutors painted a starkly different picture, describing Cordova as a gang member eager to climb the ranks. During the trial, the jury heard how Cordova had previously bragged about his AR-15 rifle, calling it his “toy.” Prosecutor Jacob Friedberg explained to jurors, “The motivation here comes from a desire to rise up through the ranks of the gang world. It’s unfortunate that is how that world works.”
The case took a turn when a Denver police officer spotted the suspect’s car the day after the shooting. The vehicle was recognized from a previous incident where shots had been fired into a McDonald’s restaurant. The officer pursued the car, which eventually crashed. Cordova and Johnson were arrested after a search.
Johnson, who was driving the car during Pamela’s murder, was sentenced to 35 years in prison in June 2023.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to support Pamela’s young son, ensuring he can pursue a college education despite this devastating loss. “Pamela Cabriales is an amazing human being and will always go out of her way to help those in need,” the page reads. “She is an amazing mother, daughter, sister, auntie, and friend.”
Denver District Attorney Beth McCann expressed her gratitude to everyone who worked tirelessly on this challenging case, including prosecutors, victim advocates, and Denver Police detectives.
“This sentence will ensure that Remi Cordova is held accountable and pays a significant price for his heinous crimes,” she said. “Pamela Cabriales was a loving, joyful, and hardworking young woman who would be with us today were it not for Mr. Cordova’s entirely senseless actions.”
The sentencing closes a chapter on this heartbreaking case, but for Pamela’s family, friends, and especially her young son, the grief and loss remain.
