16-Year-Old Charged with Murder in Deadly Sandy Robbery Shooting

UPDATE: A 16-year-old has been charged with murder following a deadly robbery incident in Sandy, Utah, that left one man dead. Matthew Lee Bowman faces multiple charges, including aggravated robbery and two counts of felony discharge of a firearm, after the shooting on October 13, 2025.

Just before 8:30 PM on that fateful night, Sandy Police responded to reports of a robbery near Main Street Park. Officers found 39-year-old Josh Pectol suffering from gunshot wounds. Despite immediate medical attention, he tragically succumbed to his injuries shortly thereafter.

The incident unfolded when a 14-year-old arranged to sell 15 THC cartridges for $370 after receiving an Instagram message. Sensing danger, he brought his father to the meeting as a lookout, who carried a firearm for protection. Tensions escalated when two masked individuals arrived, leading to an argument that resulted in shots being fired.

Witnesses reported a silver SUV pulling up, followed by the sound of gunfire. The situation quickly turned chaotic, as the father attempted to protect his son, but was shot in the process. A nearby witness confirmed seeing the suspects flee the scene immediately after the shots rang out.

In the days following the shooting, authorities arrested three juvenile suspects, with Bowman being the only one charged as an adult so far. As the investigation progressed, officers traced the stolen Subaru involved and discovered crucial evidence, including shell casings and a handgun linked to the crime.

Bowman allegedly admitted to police that his friends were planning to rob the victim, stating, “I didn’t know what was inside” the bag containing the firearm. Meanwhile, a second suspect, identified as M.R., confessed to firing the shots without understanding the consequences of his actions.

Currently, Bowman remains in juvenile detention, while charges against the other two suspects are still pending. This shocking incident has sent ripples through the Sandy community, igniting discussions about youth violence and the dangers of illegal drug sales.

As the case develops, the community is left to grapple with the heartbreak of losing a beloved father and the implications of youth involvement in violent crime. More updates are expected as authorities work to gather additional evidence and possibly charge the other suspects involved.

Stay tuned for the latest developments on this urgent case.