A man has been found guilty of three counts of first-degree murder and three counts of attempted murder after kllng three teenagers who played a doorbell-ringing prank at his home in California. The incident occurred on January 19, 2020, when a group of teenage boys rang Anurag Chandra’s doorbell on a dare. Chandra, a Riverside County resident, claimed that one of the teens flashed his buttocks before running away, which angered him.
Chandra, who was driving his car at the time, then chased the boys in his vehicle until he eventually caught up with them and rammed into their car. The crash resulted in the death of all three 16-year-old boys, who were identified as Daniel Hawkins, Drake Ruiz, and Jacob Ivascu. Three other teenagers who were in the car were injured in the incident.
During the trial, the prosecution argued that Chandra’s actions were premeditated and intentional, while the defense claimed that Chandra did not intend to k*ll anyone and was merely trying to scare the boys. The jury ultimately sided with the prosecution and convicted Chandra on all counts.
The families of the victims expressed relief at the verdict and said that they hoped it would bring them some closure. “We lost three amazing young men, and nothing can bring them back,” said Wendy Hawkins, Daniel’s mother. “But at least justice has been served.”
Chandra’s sentencing is scheduled for June 2023, and he could face life in prison without the possibility of parole.
