Investigators release photo of rock damage to windshield of victim Alexa Bartell

Jefferson County Sheriff's Office investigators released a photo showing the damage from a rock that went through the glass and struck and killed Alexa Bartell. Bartell, 20 died after a rock was thrown through the windshield of her car as she drove north in the 10600 block of Indiana Street Wednesday night.

Alexa's death is believed to be linked to several other incidents in the area that same night. Two other people have minor injuries after rocks described as larger than softballs and ranging from three to five pounds came through their windshields.  

"It's unbelievable that somebody would mess with that kind of dangerous situation if it were a prank or a joke, and maybe even more so if it's a targeted crime," said Jacki Kelley, public information officer for the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office. "This is a homicide investigation, and we plan to charge the people who are responsible." 

The photo released by investigators of Alexa's vehicle shows a large hole in the windshield where the rock shattered the glass.

Alexa was on the phone with a friend when all of a sudden the phone call went silent. The car drove off Indiana Street, through a small wire fence and off into a field. The friend did a location search on her phone and found she was not moving. She arrived to find Alexa still in her car, well off the road in a field, fatally injured.

The incidents being investigated include: 

• 10:04 p.m. Wednesday – Westminster - 100th Ave. & Simms St. – rock through windshield – driver not injured
• 10:26 p.m. Wednesday – Arvada - Hwy 93 at Hwy 72 – rock through windshield – minor injuries to driver
• 10:30 p.m. Wednesday – Boulder County - McCaslin Blvd & S. Indiana St. (entrance to Rock Creek neighborhood) rock through windshield – minor injuries to driver
• 10:31 p.m. Wednesday – Boulder County – McCaslin Blvd & S. Indiana St. (entrance to Rock Creek neighborhood) - rock vs.Toyota 4-Runner – body damage to vehicle, driver not injured 
• 10:45 p.m. Wednesday – Jefferson County – 10600 block of Indiana St. – rock through windshield of yellow Chevy Spark – homicide

Anyone with information about the crime can call the Jeffco Sheriff's tip line at 303-271-5612.  

Investigators are also asking for additional help from Tesla drivers who were in the area that night in hopes that the car cameras may have captured some footage that will be useful in the case.

There is also a $15,000 reward offered by Commercial Flooring Services Inc. to anyone who has information leading to an arrest. The company is working with law enforcement in conjunction with the award offered by Crime Stoppers.  

Anyone with information about the rock throwing is asked to call Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at (720) 913-7867 - (720) 913-STOP. To be eligible for the $2,000 award and to remain anonymous, tipsters must call the tip line. Crime Stoppers collects information on unsolved crimes or individuals wanted by the police. Callers can remain anonymous. The tip line is answered 24 hours a day - 7 days a week.