BLACKFOOT, Idaho — A 16-year-old faces serious charges following an incident that left one woman dead in her residence. Bobby Jackson was in court Friday morning, accused of the first-degree murder of 30-year-old Rebecca Rivera.
Under Idaho law, juveniles aged 14 and older can be charged as adults for severe felony offenses, which applies to Jackson in this case. Authorities revealed that Jackson allegedly confessed to authorities that he shot Rivera in the head, prompting Bingham County Prosecutor Ryan Jolley to elevate the charge from second-degree to first-degree murder.
The tragic events unfolded Thursday afternoon when police were called to investigate a report regarding a stolen firearm from State Hospital South. The employee who mentioned the theft claimed Jackson—an employee working on a remodeling project—had been missing for an unreasonably long period after requesting to use the restroom. Upon searching for Jackson, the man discovered his gun was missing from his lunchbox.
Police then traced Jackson to a halfway house on North Shilling Avenue, where investigators learned he had been located at a gas station. Surveillance footage confirmed his presence there. Meanwhile, back at the hospital, officers reviewed additional video evidence that showed Jackson entering the work truck and retrieving an item from the backseat.
As the investigation progressed, police noted that Jackson was on probation for a previous offense involving threatening someone with a fake gun, which necessitated his stay at a halfway house. By around 4 p.m. Thursday, officers received another call, this time regarding a death at a trailer home on South Broadway Street.
At the scene, law enforcement found Rivera deceased from a gunshot wound, with evidence of a struggle nearby. Family members reported discovering her body after becoming concerned when she failed to pick up her daughter from school. Inquiries with neighbors revealed that Jackson had been seen earlier that day, seeking a ride to Pocatello.
Detectives gained access to security footage from various locations that showed Jackson traveling through the area soon before Rivera’s death, which prompted them to consider foul play. Investigation revealed that the bullets used to kill Rivera matched the type associated with the stolen firearm.
Ultimately, police tracked Jackson to a residence in Pocatello, where he was apprehended without resistance. During an interview, he allegedly stated that after Rivera denied him a ride, he pulled out a gun and shot her, expressing a desire for revenge due to a belief that her family was involved in the death of one of his friends.
Currently held at the 3B Juvenile Detention Center in Idaho Falls, Jackson’s bond is set at $1 million. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on November 6. If convicted, he could face life imprisonment; however, he will not be eligible for the death penalty due to his age. It is crucial to note that charges do not imply guilt, and the accused is considered innocent until proven otherwise.