Suspect compiled “death list,” DA alleges
Investigators found a “death list” topped with the name of Makayla Grote’s younger sister in the bedroom of the 15-year-old Lakewood boy suspected of fatally stabbing Grote at her apartment in Longmont, a Boulder County prosecutor said in court Monday.
Deputy District Attorney Michael Foote disclosed new details surrounding the stabbing during the teen’s first appearance in juvenile court, when District Judge Andrew Macdonald ruled the suspect would be held without bond.
The Times-Call and Daily Camera have chosen not to identify the suspect because he a juvenile. He was arrested on suspicion of first-degree murder, and District Attorney Stan Garnett has said he’s considering charging the boy as an adult.
The teen is scheduled to appear again for formal charging at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday.
Grote, a 2016 graduate of Green Mountain High School in Lakewood, died Saturday night at Longmont United Hospital.
The teen, who also attended Green Mountain High, elected not to appear in court Monday because Macdonald had ruled he would have to remain in restraints during the hearing. A defense attorney told the judge the boy has remained calm, quiet and cooperative.
The boy was seen outside Grote’s apartment at 11 a.m. Saturday, asking for a jump. At the time, Grote, her mother and her younger sister were in the apartment.
The teen returned around 6:15 p.m., this time allegedly with a hunting knife. Foote alleged the boy stabbed Grote, 19, once in the head and once in the chest.
He then allegedly pursued Grote’s sister, who was showering at the time her sister was stabbed. The sister was able to lock herself in a room, Foote said.
Foote said the boy’s list specified that he’d kill anyone else in his path.
A witness, who said he saw the boy leave the apartment, said the teen was dressed in protective black motorcycle gear, including a helmet, when he came down the stairs holding a knife.
About seven hours later, police found the boy in Lakewood in his parent’s vehicle. Foote said the teen was 1 mile away from the third person on the death list.
On Friday, the day before Grote was stabbed, the boy assaulted his grandfather and threatened his mother with a knife, Foote said. Homemade bombs allegedly were found in his possession.
And about one month ago, Lakewood police investigated troubling texts between the boy and Grote’s sister, including mention of the death list. When questioned, the boy denied keeping such a list.