A Colorado teenager who was just 14 years old when he shot and killed a young mother over a minor car accident in broad daylight has learned his fate.
Remi Cordova has been sentenced to life in prison, but he could be eligible for parole after serving 40 years. The victim, 32-year-old Pamela Cabriales, was gunned down on February 20, 2021, in Denver. The Denver District Attorney’s Office announced the sentencing in a statement, calling the crime “entirely senseless.”
Cordova was found guilty in November of first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder. The second charge stemmed from shots fired at another driver whose car was behind Cabriales’ vehicle. Cordova, initially in Juvenile Court, was transferred to District Court due to the severity of the case and was tried as an adult.
“This sentence ensures that Remi Cordova faces serious consequences for his horrific actions,” Denver District Attorney Beth McCann said. “Pamela Cabriales was a joyful, hardworking young woman who was taken from her loved ones far too soon. My heart goes out to her family, especially her young son. I also want to commend the prosecutors, investigators, and the Denver Police Department for their dedication to this challenging case.”
In court, Cordova denied his role in the shooting but spoke to the victim’s family. “I want you all to know I really feel for y’all,” he said, as reported by local media. “But I cannot take responsibility for something that I did not do.”
The tragic incident unfolded on Colfax Avenue near Interstate 25. Pamela Cabriales was stopped at a red light when Cordova, riding as a passenger in a car driven by another teenager, Neshan Johnson, reportedly believed Cabriales’ car had lightly bumped theirs. According to court documents, Cordova asked Johnson, “Can I bust on them?” Johnson responded, “Do what you gotta do, that’s on you.”
That’s when Cordova allegedly grabbed an AR-15-style rifle, got out of the car, and fired 15 to 20 shots into Cabriales’ vehicle. She was rushed to the hospital but tragically died a few days later. Another driver, who was in the line of fire behind Cabriales, was unharmed.
The victim’s brother, Alex Cabriales, described his sister’s injuries in heartbreaking detail, saying, “The whole top of her head was blown off. Her brain was exposed.” He added, “The community needs to know what these people did. My sister was beautiful.”
Cordova was later arrested after a Denver police officer recognized the suspects’ car. The officer had seen the vehicle the day before during another incident where shots were fired into a McDonald’s restaurant. After a car chase that ended in a crash, both teens were taken into custody.
During the trial, prosecutors revealed that Cordova was a gang member with a criminal history. They said he bragged about his rifle, calling it his “toy,” and that he was eager to climb the ranks in his gang. “The motivation here comes from a desire to rise up through the ranks of the gang world,” prosecutor Jacob Friedberg told the jury.
Johnson, the driver, was sentenced to 35 years in prison in June 2023 for his role in the crime.
Cabriales was remembered as a kind, loving person. A GoFundMe page set up to support her young son described her as “an amazing mother, daughter, sister, auntie, and friend.” It added, “Pamela always went out of her way to help others. She was a beautiful soul taken too soon.”
Her death leaves a lasting void, especially for her little boy, but her family hopes to honor her memory by ensuring he has a bright future.
