Gang member gave boy permission to open fire, according to Denver DA

Neshan Johnson is on trial for murder over his alleged role in 2021 shooting of Pamela Cabriales in her SUV

A Denver gang member gave a 14-year- old boy permission to shoot at a woman with an AR-15style rifle after a fenderbender on West Colfax Avenue two years ago, prosecutors alleged during the opening of the older man’s murder trial Tuesday.

Neshan Johnson, 20, is charged with first- degree murder in the Feb. 20, 2021, killing of 32-yearold Pamela Cabriales, even though both the prosecution and defense agree that a then-14-yearold boy actually pulled the trigger and fired the fatal shots.

Investigators believe Johnson, who was 18 at the time, and two 14-yearold boys were stopped in their car at a red light on West Colfax near Interstate 25 when Cabriales pulled up behind them at about 10:45 p.m. and rearended the teenagers’ car in a minor fender-bender.

The 14-year- old in the front seat, an aspiring Eastside Crips gang member, then turned to Johnson and asked, “Can I bust on them?,” prosecutor Jacob Friedberg said during opening statements in Johnson’s jury trial in Denver District Court.

Friedberg alleges that Johnson, a gang member with more status, gave the boy permission to open fire. Johnson’s defense attorney, Johanna Boyd, said the teenager did not “green light” the killing and did not have the authority to do so.

What no one disputes is that after the brief exchange with Johnson, the 14-year- old boy stepped out of the car with an AR-15- style rifle, aimed at Cabriales’ SUV and pulled the trigger.

The safety on the gun was on, though, so he had to lower the weapon, take off the safety and then open fire again, Friedberg said.

The 14- year- old shot at least seven times into Cabriales’ SUV, hitting her in the head, prosecutors alleged.

He got back into the car, fired twice more at the SUV, and then Johnson and the two boys drove away, prosecutors allege.

They early the next morning after a vehicle pursuit.

Cabriales, mother to a then- 6-year- old boy, died several days later.

The 14- year- old, who The Denver Post is not naming because he is a juvenile, was also charged with first- degree murder; that case is pending in juvenile court.

Friedberg alleged the three teenagers were driving around Denver that night “looking for trouble” and hoped the shooting would raise their status within the gang. The 14-year- old told police after his arrest that he “was gonna earn his stripes,” Boyd said, and appeared to have “no shame, no regrets” about the killing.

“The reason that young woman is dead is because the defendant and his friends were trying to make a name for themselves within their community,” Friedberg said.

Boyd disputed prosecutors’ allegations that the shooting was connected to gang status. She said Johnson had no idea the 14-year- old was going to kill Cabriales, and didn’t have any control or authority over the boy.

“This is absolutely not a gang shooting,” Boyd said.

“… The victim was a female, she was what you would call a quote- unquote innocent — she was not affiliated with a gang in any way. This does not earn anyone stripes.”

The second 14- yearold boy who was in the car with Johnson and the alleged shooter was not charged.

He recounted the conversation between the alleged shooter and Johnson to police, and will give key testimony in the jury trial.

The 14-year- old witness was a longtime friend of the alleged shooter, but did not know Johnson at all, Boyd said.

She suggested the teenager lied to police about Johnson’s involvement in order to try to protect his friend.

But Friedberg said the boy’s story was simple, straightforward and did not change in conversations with police.

“This case comes down to his credibility,” Boyd said. “What motive does he have to tell what version of his story.”