Two more young teens charged in homicide at Olathe's Black Bob Park
Prosecutors are working to charge the four 14-year-olds in this case as adults.
Prosecutors are working to charge the four 14-year-olds in this case as adults.
Prosecutors are working to charge the four 14-year-olds in this case as adults.
The Johnson County, Kansas Prosecutor's Office has announced charges against two more young teenagers in connection with a homicide at Black Bob Park in Olathe last weekend.
That brings the total to six teens charged - four 14-year-olds and two 13-year-olds - all from Olathe.
Currently, their identities are private due to their status as juveniles, however, prosecutors said they are working to certify the four 14-year-old suspects as adults in this case.
All six teens are charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death of 19-year-old Smithville, Missouri, resident Marco Cardino.
Authorities now believe the homicide was over a bag of marijuana involved in a drug deal.
The Johnson County District Attorney Steve Howe says botched drug deals have become an increasingly common crime.
"What we see in these instances is either the buyer tries to rip off the dealer, or the dealer tries to rip off the person trying to buy the drugs, and it's happened both ways," Howe said. "I really don't wanna go into the details today, but it's something that's consistent, and it's always marijuana."
Officers said they were called to the park at about 4 a.m. on May 14 after receiving calls about gunshots in the area.
Police arrived on the scene and found the victim dead with multiple gunshot wounds. Officers identified the victim as Cardino.
"It's frustrating for us to see people losing their lives for something as simple as a bag of pot," Howe said.
The first four teens all had their first court appearances Tuesday morning and are being held without bond.
The case remains under investigation.
This article will update with any new information as it is made available.