Anguished final words of boy, 15, shot dead 'by illegal migrant, 18, who tricked him into thinking he was meeting a girl'

Published: 13:14, 7 April 2026 | Updated: 13:16, 7 April 2026 A Missouri teen made a heartbreaking plea for his life after realizing he had been lured by an illegal migrant into a deadly ambush, prosecutors say. Miles Young, 15, was gunned down March 12 in Greene County, Missouri, when prosecutors said he was coaxed into believing he was meeting up with a girl before being confronted by his attackers.  Witnesses described his anguished last moments as he pleaded with his attackers: 'I just don't want to die.'  Following a two-week manhunt for his killers, authorities arrested suspect Yefry Archaga, 18, accusing him of planning the deadly scheme.  Archaga was charged with first-degree murder and is being held on an immigration detainer by Immigration, Customs and Enforcement (ICE), per arrest records viewed by the Daily Mail. A second suspect, Praize King, 18, also faces first-degree murder and armed criminal action charges after allegedly joining the ambush.  Prosecutors say Archaga made Young believe he was meeting up with a girl, while he and a group were tracking his location and setting him up.  According to court documents obtained by KY3, the group led by Archaga drove around Springfield discussing the plan, before stopping to take a second black Mercedes vehicle.  Young had reportedly been warned not to go, but he ignored the advice and only realized he walked into a trap when the vehicles were circling in.  Miles Young, 15, was gunned down March 12 in Greene County in what prosecutors say was a premeditated deadly ambush Yefry Archaga, 18, is accused of planning the scheme and is charged with first-degree murder. Following his arrest, he was held on an immigration detainer by ICE The group allegedly used the cars and cornered Young by blocking the road, where they ambushed him.  As the car Young was in came to a stop, he fled on foot, police said.  Archaga allegedly chased him wearing a black ski mask and armed with a 'Glock-style' handgun, according to a witness.  'Defendant ambushed victim, chased victim on foot, and shot victim as victim was stating he wanted to live,' documents obtained by the Springfield Daily Citizen said.  Another witness told investigators they heard the 15-year-old’s final plea: 'I just don’t wanna die.' They said his final cry was followed by the sound of gunshots, per the documents. Young was shot in the chest, and later pronounced dead at Cox South Hospital. After allegedly shooting Young, Archaga 'made a phone call' to someone about the incident, and 'was braggadocios' about killing him, police said in a probably cause affidavit.  Young was described by his heartbroken family as a 'compassionate, loving, and kind 15-year-old who brought light to everyone around him' Prosecutors said the suspects blamed Young for a 2025 homicide, and the 15-year-old was a witness set to testify at trial, per the document A second suspect, Praize King, 18, also faces first-degree murder and armed criminal action charges Two witnesses reportedly told investigators they believed Young was 'set up' because the suspect 'did not like him,' Ozarksfirst reported. They said the suspect blamed Young for a 2025 homicide, where the 15-year-old was a witness set to testify at trial, per court documents.  Archaga allegedly fled after the shooting and was arrested March 31 after a two‑week search. He is set to appear in court April 13.  At least one other suspect, thought to be a juvenile, has yet to be identified.  Young was described by his heartbroken family as a 'compassionate, loving, and kind 15-year-old who brought light to everyone around him.' 'He was a big brother, a son, a grandson, and a friend. He had a beautiful heart, was full of life, and always showed care for others,' his family wrote on a GoFundMe.  'Just a couple of weeks before his passing, Miles made a heartfelt decision at church, giving his heart to Jesus during an altar call. It felt as though God was beginning to prepare him for his journey home.  'His loss has left his family, friends, and community heartbroken, as no parent should ever have to outlive and bury their child.' The comments below have not been moderated. The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. 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