14-year-old charged with attempted murder in Chico
© Provided by KRCR Chico-Redding
A 14-year-old teen from Chico was charged in the Butte County Superior Court, Juvenile Division, on Tuesday for the attempted murder of a 71-year-old woman on Thursday.
The victim was attacked late Thursday night at the Chico High School track following the graduation ceremony that night. She regularly exercised at the school, according to District Attorney Mike Ramsey.
An investigation showed that the 14-year-old snuck up behind the woman and struck her with a piece of fence, causing her to lose consciousness.
© Provided by KRCR Chico-Redding
The 71-year-old regained consciousness at some point, dragged herself to a nearby bathroom, and wasn't found until 6:30 a.m. on Friday by a school custodian.
The teenage suspect was arrested by Chico Police on Friday. According to Ramsey, the woman is recovering in the hospital from brain bleed and other injuries.
Ramsey noted the 14-year-old cannot be tried as an adult due to changes in California law that prohibit anyone under 16-years-old from being tried as an adult. However, the teen faces being sentenced to the Butte County Juvenile Hall until he's 25.
For now, the teen is being held without bail and is scheduled for a hearing on Wednesday for arraignment.
