New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has called for legislative action following the arrest of a 13-year-old boy charged with the murder of Scott Dwight Habermehl. The incident occurred last May when Habermehl, a Sandia National Laboratory employee, was struck by a stolen vehicle while cycling to work.
Video evidence reveals an 11-year-old passenger wielding a firearm as the vehicle, driven by the 13-year-old, collided with Habermehl. Police records show that the 11-year-old has a significant criminal history, including prior arrests for aggravated assault and shooting incidents.
Governor Lujan Grisham expressed her dismay in a statement: “I am horrified by the video footage of this brazen, heartless killing involving three juveniles—ages 11, 13, and 15—who targeted an innocent cyclist. This case is an appalling and heartbreaking reminder of the serious juvenile crime crisis we face in New Mexico––and our lack of tools to properly address it.”
She extended condolences to those close to Habermehl: “I extend my deepest condolences to the friends, family and coworkers of the victim, Scott Dwight Habermehl.”
The governor emphasized that such violence might be preventable with appropriate laws: “Such senseless violence could be prevented if we had proper laws in place to detain repeat juvenile offenders and provide appropriate interventions.”
Lujan Grisham criticized lawmakers for their inaction during the legislative session: “I am appalled that with less than a week remaining in the legislative session, lawmakers have not passed any substantive legislation to deal with juvenile crime.” She urged citizens to contact legislators: “I call on every New Mexican to contact their legislators immediately and demand that they act with urgency to provide our communities with the tools they need to address juvenile crime. Their refusal to seriously debate these issues during the 60-day legislative session is unacceptable when lives are at stake.”
