Joseph Koenig had history of ‘destructive behavior’ before alleged rock-throwing spree: pal

One of the three Colorado teens charged in the deadly rock-throwing spree that killed a young motorist last week reportedly had a history of “destructive behavior” — and a neighbor said she was not surprised to learn he was involved in the fatal mischief.

High school senior Joseph Koenig — who was arrested this week along with Nicholas “Mitch” Karol-Chik and Zachary Kwak — was known for his “destructive behavior” and for “causing chaos” even before the horrific incident that killed Alexa Bartell, 20, their friend Joseph Bopp told CPR News.

Bopp was with the suspects, who are all 18 years old, when they loaded Walmart landscaping rocks into Karol-Chik’s pickup truck, according to an affidavit obtained by the Denver Gazette.

He became uncomfortable and asked to be taken home before the trio lobbed the rock that hit the windshield of the car that Bartell was driving on the night of April 19.

One of Koenig’s neighbors, who asked not to be identified, said his arrest “wasn’t a shock.”

“There had been discussion and concerns in the neighborhood for actions he had taken in his past,” she told CBS News Colorado.

She said nonetheless, she was heartbroken over Bartell’s death.

“As a mom, to hear somebody’s child that is catastrophically and unexpectedly injured and taken so abruptly, and then having it linked to your neighborhood, in your school — it’s heartbreaking,” she said.

Karol-Chik later told police that he and Kwak started throwing rocks and statues at drivers in February, the outlet said.

He also alleged that Kwak tossed the rock that hit Bartell’s windshield while Koenig drove on the night of April 19.

Kwak, however, insisted that Koenig threw the fatal rock. Koenig has declined to speak with investigators, CBS News Colorado said.

Authorities also shared that the trio doubled back and took a picture of Bartell’s shattered vehicle as a grisly memento.

Koenig’s father, Mark Edwin Koenig, was also taken into custody this week and charged with obstructing officers when they tried to speak to his son, KDVR reported.

Two other motorists suffered minor injuries from the rock-throwing spree, CPR News reported. The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office said all three teens could face additional charges, including attempted murder or assault.

All three teens appeared virtually before a judge on Thursday. They are being held without bond, and their next hearings are set for May 3.