Bio

Eric Alan Stoneman was born in 1990. He grew up in Battlement Mesa, Colorado. Battlement Mesa is a community known for its scenic views and various housing options, from large homes to mobile home parks. Eric lived in a mobile home park, where he met several other children, including Taylor DeMarco.

As a child, Eric struggled in school and was described by his mother as a "special needs" child with attention deficit disorder. This condition made it difficult for him to focus and concentrate on his studies. According to reports, he was often teased by his peers because of his difficulties. He faced challenges similar to those of Taylor, who also had a speech impediment and repeated a grade in school.

In Eric's family, there were tensions as well. His parents had split up, a situation that affected Eric deeply. It is noted that both Eric and Taylor experienced challenges at home, which likely affected their behavior and interactions with others.

Despite living close by, Eric and Taylor were not particularly close friends. They both participated in activities like skateboarding and playing video games, but their paths seemed to cross only occasionally.

Reports indicate that Eric's upbringing included a range of normal child experiences mixed with the difficulties brought on by his attention deficit disorder. He spent his childhood in a community that had its share of problems, including a recent rise in juvenile crime. 

Murder Story

On July 20, 2005, Eric Alan Stoneman, a 14-year-old boy, shot and killed a 9-year-old boy named Taylor DeMarco in Battlement Mesa, Colorado. The two boys had been friends but had an argument on that day. Reports state that after being teased by Taylor and another friend, Eric went home and returned with his mother's .22-caliber handgun.

Stoneman allegedly pointed the gun at Taylor and the other boy and demonstrated the safety mechanism by putting the gun to his own mouth. Despite this, he fired the weapon, striking Taylor in the chest. Taylor ran outside but collapsed near the front steps of the house shortly after being shot.

Eric Stoneman was arrested the same day and faced serious charges, initially including first-degree murder. However, he entered a plea agreement, pleading guilty to charges of reckless manslaughter, menacing with a deadly weapon, and resisting arrest.

On December 23, 2005, he was sentenced to a total of 10 years for his actions. The sentence included four years at a juvenile justice facility followed by six years in state prison. Stoneman's case drew significant attention, partly due to his age and the nature of the crime. He was the youngest person charged with murder in that district at the time.