Current:Home > StocksRetired police chief killed in hit-and-run died in 'cold and callous' way: Family -Secure Horizon Growth
Retired police chief killed in hit-and-run died in 'cold and callous' way: Family
View
Date:2025-04-15 18:58:24
As two teenagers face murder charges in an alleged intentional hit-and-run that killed a retired police chief who was biking in Las Vegas, the victim's family is reeling from the "cold and callous" way he died.
Andreas "Andy" Probst, 64, a former police chief for Bell, California, died after a vehicle slammed into him while riding in a designated bike lane last month, authorities said. Clark County Sheriff Kevin McMahill called it a "senseless murder," with the two suspects accused of intentionally striking Probst and then leaving him for dead.
"We are beside ourselves with the tragic loss of my husband and our children's father," the Probst family said in a statement to ABC News on Tuesday. "There are no words in this world that can express how truly devastated and heartbroken we are. Andy was a one-of-a-kind man, and for two individuals to take his life in such a cold and callous way is sick."
"We are praying that justice is served," they said.
Probst served in law enforcement for more than 35 years, his daughter said at a press briefing last week, calling him a man of "honor and integrity" who was a "Little League dad" and "honorary member of Girl Scouts."
The two teens -- Jesus Ayala, 18, and Jzamir Keys, 16 -- are accused of committing a series of crimes the morning of Aug. 14 -- four car thefts and three hit-and-runs, including the one that killed Probst, authorities said.
Both have been charged with murder with use of a deadly weapon, battery with use of a deadly weapon and attempted murder with use of a deadly weapon. Ayala, who is accused of driving a stolen Hyundai Electra during Probst's alleged hit-and-run, is also charged with leaving the scene of a crash and possession of a stolen vehicle, among other charges.
MORE: Suspect sought in murder of 26-year-old tech CEO: Police
Police said Keys was driving during the first hit-and-run and, while a passenger, recorded footage of the vehicle striking Probst.
Both are being tried as adults, prosecutors said.
The two teens appeared in court Tuesday and continue to be held without bail. Ayala's preliminary hearing has been scheduled for Oct. 10, while Keys' was set for Nov. 8.
Ayala's public defender, David Westbrook, declined to comment on the case when contacted by ABC News.
The latest court appearances came as the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department this week released the 911 calls made in connection with their alleged crime spree.
The suspects are accused of initially hitting a 72-year-old bicyclist. The man called 911 around 5:27 a.m. PT to report that a car "just ran me over on my bicycle" then "took off."
"He ran me over on purpose," the victim said. "He got behind me, I was watching in my rearview on my bicycle, and I'm going, 'Oh s---,' and I got as far to the right, up against the curb as I could."
"I was hoping that maybe the police can make a connection because he could have killed me," said the man, who according to police suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was treated on scene.
MORE: Man charged with murder after killing his sister and 6-year-old niece in head-on car crash
The suspects are then accused of intentionally striking a Toyota Corolla, whose driver suffered non-threatening injuries, before fleeing and hitting Probst in the Hyundai Elantra.
The first call reporting the crash involving Probst came in around 6:03 a.m. PT when a woman reported a man was hit by a car outside her apartment.
"I think the man may be dead," she said.
Around 6:05 a.m. PT, Probst's Apple Watch apparently called 911 to report that the owner had "taken a hard fall and is not responding to their watch," then provided an address.
More calls followed. Among them, around 6:13 a.m. PT, a person called 911 to report a vehicle speeding down the road "only on three wheels" that nearly crashed in an intersection.
At 6:17 a.m. PT, a driver bringing his children to school reported the vehicle abandoned, still running. "The windshield looks like they hit someone," the man said.
veryGood! (8297)
Related
- Taylor Swift makes surprise visit to Kansas City children’s hospital
- Ashley Olsen Gives Birth to First Baby: Everything to Know About Husband Louis Eisner
- Russia launches lunar landing craft in first moon mission since Soviet era
- Ashley Olsen Gives Birth to First Baby: Everything to Know About Husband Louis Eisner
- As Trump Enters Office, a Ripe Oil and Gas Target Appears: An Alabama National Forest
- Jim Gaffigan on the complex process of keeping his kids' cellphones charged
- Ecuador was calm and peaceful. Now hitmen, kidnappers and robbers walk the streets
- Those Taylor Swift figurines for sale online aren't from Funko, but fans will pay $250 anyway
- Retirement planning: 3 crucial moves everyone should make before 2025
- A central Kansas police force comes under constitutional criticism after raiding a newspaper
Ranking
- Man can't find second winning lottery ticket, sues over $394 million jackpot, lawsuit says
- After Maui fires, human health risks linger in the air, water and even surviving buildings
- How to get rid of pimples: Acne affects many people. Here's what to do about it.
- Maine to provide retirement savings program for residents not eligible through work
- Krispy Kreme offers a free dozen Grinch green doughnuts: When to get the deal
- 'Only Murders in the Building' Episode 3: How to watch Season 3; schedule, cast
- Officers fatally shoot armed man in North Carolina during a pursuit, police say
- What we learned from NFL preseason Week 1
Recommendation
Juan Soto to be introduced by Mets at Citi Field after striking record $765 million, 15
New Orleans City Hall announces death of Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s husband, attorney Jason Cantrell
As free press withers in El Salvador, pro-government social media influencers grow in power
Horoscopes Today, August 12, 2023
The Super Bowl could end in a 'three
Morgan Freeman on rescuing a Black WWII tank battalion from obscurity
Coast Guard searches for 4 missing divers off the Carolinas
What to stream this week: ‘The Monkey King,’ Stand Up to Cancer, ‘No Hard Feelings,’ new Madden game