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June 16, 2006
Murder suspect Gibbons cited as an adult
By PHILLIP GOMEZ
Tyler Aaron Gibbons, 15, was charged with the week-old slaying of Anthony Risko, 12, at the deceased boy's home at 3951 W. Windsong Lane on his birthday, June 8. Additionally, Gibbons was charged with conspiracy, obstruction of justice and delaying the police investigation. Another juvenile, 16, was also arrested on June 10, suspected of essentially lying to sheriff's investigators to cover up the alleged crime and make it appear accidental. The other juvenile is charged with conspiracy, obstruction of justice and delaying the police investigation. At the same time, Gibbons' father has been arrested in an unrelated case. After questioning the juvenile witnesses at the scene of the crime and after additional investigation, Nye County Sheriff's detectives determined that earlier reports of a self-inflicted or accidental gunshot wound were false. "The facts surrounding the shooting demonstrate that statements the defendants made indicate an open murder charge is the appropriate charge," said Beckett. "We have probable cause that a murder was committed." The legal term Beckett used to characterize the alleged intent in Gibbons' mind was "an abandoned and malignant heart," indicating gross negligence and wanton, reckless behavior. Whether the murder charge is eventually found in the first or second degree will be up to the jury to decide, Beckett said. The other juvenile is lodged at the Hawthorne Detention Facility because he is a juvenile, but Gibbons has been booked at Pahrump's adult detention facility because of the murder charge, though he is segregated from the other adult inmates. Juveniles charged with murder are automatically tried as adults in Nevada. The death came to light when the sheriff's office received a call from The other juvenile and Gibbons about 2 p.m. June 8 regarding what they called an accidental gunshot wound to Risko's head. Det. Mike McGrath and Lt. Lance Lehigh were the first to arrive at the home, where Gibbons and the other juvenile flagged them down. Inside the residence, the officers found the unconscious, but still breathing boy lying on the floor. Medical personnel from Pahrump Fire-Rescue arrived to render aid, and the boy was airlifted by Mercy Air to Las Vegas, where he subsequently succumbed from the wound to the right side of the head. Lt. Ed Howard also arrived and led the investigation. A .22-caliber Ruger rifle, with the magazine removed, was found in a corner of the living room. McGrath hastily examined the muzzle of the weapon and reported finding no sign of human tissue or blood. Detectives Lehigh and McGrath later obtained a statement from the two witnesses. Gibbons and the other juvenile told them that Risko had gone to the bathroom and later returned with the rifle. Both said they warned Risko not to play with the weapon. They said he had the weapon at his side with the barrel pointed toward the ceiling when it discharged, striking the boy in the head. In subsequent interviews with the other juvenile, however, it came to light that the juveniles had lied to the officers about the incident. The other juvenile admitted that Gibbons had the rifle and was pointing it at Risko's head, saying repeatedly, "This is a real gun ... Are you ready? ... Are you ready?" The other juvenile, according to the sheriff's office "declaration of arrest," said that Risko was in a protective posture, cowering from Gibbons abd using his hands to shield himself from the weapon. The other juvenile, according to the arrest declaration, said Gibbons then fired the rifle. The other juvenile also admitted he had initially lied to law enforcement about the incident in order to save himself and Gibbons from getting into trouble, according to the document. The other juvenile said he and Gibbons had concocted the story prior to the arrival of the police, rehearsing their account of events for their statement. The other juvenile said Gibbons wiped the weapon clean in an effort to conceal his involvement. Beckett indicated that the rifle was fired at point blank range when it discharged. "It was very close." According to reports, five guns were stored in the Risko home, but that is considered a normal number for Pahrump. "You'd be amazed," said Lt. Howard. "Everyone has guns." "It's a tragic loss," said Beckett, a father of four. A pre-trial date for Gibbons has been set for July 12. Bail was set at $10,000 for the boy, who reportedly has a record of getting into trouble with the law. |
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