COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.—A 17-year-old accused of shooting and killing a Western State College football player will be prosecuted as an adult, officials said.
Tyrief Reynolds faces first-degree murder and other charges in the death of Diontea Jackson-Forrest, 19, shortly after midnight on July 9.
Jackson-Forrest was a standout running back at Colorado Springs’ Wasson High School before graduating last year. He was shot in the neck while driving.
Prosecutors told Magistrate Jeffrey Saufley Tuesday they planned to charge Reynolds as an adult.
Saufley issued a gag order prohibiting defense lawyers, prosecutors and investigators from publicly discussing the case outside of court.
Reynolds appeared in court Tuesday under heavy guard. He is being held without bail.
If convicted of first-degree murder, Reynolds could be sentenced to life in prison without parole. He also faces three weapons charges: illegal discharge, possession by a previous offender and possession by a juvenile.
Reynolds also faces a charge of attempted murder case in the unrelated stabbing a man in a mall parking lot in March.
