11-year-old arrested, faces charges in murder of 5-year-old brother
The victim and suspect have not been named by police because they are minors.
An 11-year-old boy has been taken into custody and is facing a first-degree murder charge in the death of his 5-year-old brother in Centennial, Colorado, investigators announced Wednesday.
The 5-year-old boy was found dead in his home on Tuesday, according to the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office.
The boy's cause of death is still under investigation, the sheriff's office said.
The 11-year-old has been taken into custody and is being held at the Marvin W. Foote Youth Services Center in Centennial, the sheriff’s office said.
“Our hearts go out to the family of these two young boys and to everyone in our community who is grieving this loss," Arapahoe County Sheriff Tyler Brown said in a statement. “Cases involving the homicide of children are among the most difficult our deputies and investigators face."
Investigators said they would only release limited information since both the suspect and the victim are minors.
The school district also did not identify the 5-year-old killed due to the active police investigation, according to KMGH.
"It is with great sadness that I want to share with you that one of our Kindergarten students has died unexpectedly," Timberline Elementary Principal Mary Bowens said in a letter to parents on Wednesday, according to KMGH. "There is currently an active police investigation and law enforcement asked the District not to release the student’s name."