Idaho Teen Steals Gun from Worksite, Fatally Shoots Woman Who Refused to Give Him a Ride, Police Say

BLACKFOOT, IDAHO — A 16-year-old boy is facing a first-degree murder charge after police say he stole a gun from his workplace, walked into a nearby trailer park, and shot a woman in the head because she refused to give him a ride.

Authorities say the suspect, Bobby Grant Jackson Jr., admitted to killing 30-year-old Rebecca Rivera, telling detectives, “I put a bullet in her brain.”

Gun Stolen from Workplace Before Murder

According to a probable cause affidavit obtained by Law&Crime, Jackson was working Thursday for a hospital renovation subcontractor in Blackfoot, roughly 250 miles east of Boise.

One of his coworkers told investigators that Jackson asked to use the bathroom and disappeared for a long time. When the man checked his truck, he found that a handgun kept inside a lunch box was missing — and Jackson was gone.

Surveillance footage later showed Jackson entering the truck and taking something before leaving.

Police later learned the teen was living in a halfway house while on probation for a previous armed robbery conviction.

Victim Found Dead in Her Home

That afternoon, around 4 p.m., Rivera’s family found her dead from a gunshot wound inside her mobile home on Broadway Street.

Witnesses told police they had seen Jackson in the area earlier that day asking people for rides. Security footage confirmed his presence near the trailer park shortly before the shooting.

Investigators later recovered a 9 mm handgun, matching the weapon stolen from Jackson’s worksite.

Confession and Motive

Jackson was arrested the next day in Pocatello after police obtained an initial warrant for second-degree murder, later upgraded to first-degree after his interview.

During questioning, Jackson allegedly told detectives that Rivera refused to give him a ride, prompting him to say “f— it” before entering her trailer and shooting her.

He also reportedly claimed he recognized Rivera and believed her brothers had killed his friend, telling investigators he killed her as payback.

“I put a bullet in her brain,” Jackson allegedly told police.

Prosecutors confirmed he will be charged as an adult.

Teen Held on $1 Million Bond

Jackson is currently detained at the 3B Detention Facility on a $1 million bond. His next court hearing is set for November 6.

Police say there was no known relationship between Jackson and Rivera.

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