Raheem Benson and Louis Lara-Macias

Names: Raheem Vaughn Benson and Louis Fernando Lara-Macias

Victim: Nicholas Andrew Lewis, 33

Crime date: October 1, 2016

Location:  Englewood

Ages at time of murder: Both 16

Crimes: Murder, thrill-killing, & attempted robbery

Murder method: Gunshot to the aorta

Murder motivation: Thrill and exhilaration

Incarceration status: Lara-Macias is incarcerated at the Youthful Offender System-Pueblo and is scheduled to be released on 10/14/2023 while Benson is at the Sterling Correctional Facility and has a parole hearing in September 2056

Benson’s prison photo
Raheem Benson
Benson
Lara-Macias’s Prison photo
Lara-Macias
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is NICK-LEWIS-NOVJM-2-1024x771.jpg
Nick

Summary

Benson and Lara-Macias shot Nick, a 33-year-old father and successful chef, to death as he was trying to walk home from a 7-11. The killers’ main purpose was to experience thrill and exhilaration.

Details

While Nick was attempting to walk home from a 7-11, he was confronted by Benson and Lara-Macias. They shot him three times in the chest. One shot went through his aorta and killed him. The killers didn’t steal anything from him–their main purpose for murdering Nick was to experience the exhilaration of committing a crime. Benson later bragged about the murder on FaceBook.

Raheem Benson Sentenced to Life in Jail In Killing Of Denver Chef Nicholas  Lewis | Crime News
Benson bragged about the murder on FaceBook

Lara-Macias plead guilty and was sentenced to seven years in Colorado’s Department of Youth Corrections. If he does not successfully complete his sentence he will be transferred to the Department of Corrections for 21 years. Benson was convicted of first-degree murder, second-degree murder, and attempted aggravated robbery. He was sentenced to life in prison with parole eligibility in 40 years.

Sources

https://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/crime/teen-who-boasted-on-facebook-about-denver-chefs-murder-sentenced