Blackfoot, Idaho — The community was left in shock Thursday when authorities discovered 30-year-old Rebecca Rivera had died in her trailer home at 1159 South Broadway. Friends, neighbors, and family are struggling to come to terms with the sudden and tragic loss.
Authorities say 16-year-old Bobby G. Jackson is accused of carrying out the act. Law enforcement described the incident as premeditated, noting that Jackson had allegedly stolen a firearm earlier that day. Investigators also highlighted his prior violent-related incidents.
Following the October 23 event, Jackson reportedly fled the area, moving through neighboring towns in what authorities described as a multi-town manhunt. Surveillance footage and tips helped trace his movements as he traveled through Chubbuck before being taken into custody in Pocatello late Thursday night without incident.
Law enforcement confirmed that Jackson’s arrest was carried out safely, bringing an end to a tense search that had engaged multiple police departments across Southeast Idaho. Officials emphasized the importance of inter-agency cooperation in apprehending suspects while ensuring public safety.
Prosecutors have charged Jackson with one count of first-degree murder, citing the deliberate and calculated nature of the act. During his arraignment at Bingham County Court, he was held on a $1 million bond. Authorities also noted his prior charges, including probation for a previous burglary and an incident involving a replica firearm, as factors in setting the high bail.
Investigators described the sequence of events leading up to the tragedy. Around midday, a firearm was reported stolen from a worker’s lunchbox at a nearby facility. Jackson, who had worked under a subcontractor there, was reportedly captured on security cameras taking the weapon before heading to Rivera’s trailer home.
Neighbors recalled seeing Jackson earlier in the day asking for a ride, while additional footage captured him at local businesses and gas stations. Rivera’s daughter reportedly alerted authorities when her mother did not arrive to pick her up from school, prompting police to respond swiftly to the trailer park.
At the scene, officers found Rivera in a back room with signs of a gunshot wound. The community has responded with an outpouring of sympathy, offering support to her family while mourning the sudden loss of a young life. Police emphasized the importance of community vigilance during the investigation.
Jackson is currently held at the 3B Juvenile Detention Center in Idaho Falls. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for November 6, during which authorities will present further evidence. If convicted, Jackson could face life in prison, though the death penalty is not applicable due to his age.
The police department released a statement expressing sorrow over the incident and extended condolences to Rivera’s family. Residents are coming to terms with the tragedy, seeking closure and hoping for answers as the legal process unfold