Two teenage boys suspected of killing two coffee-shop workers during an armed robbery on Roosevelt Row in downtown Phoenix have been formally charged as adults since their arrest last week.

Amanda Steele, a spokeswoman with the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, confirmed to The Arizona Republic on Wednesday afternoon that Antonio Palafox-Zermeno, 16, and Castulo Cervantes, 15, are being formally charged as adults as requested by Phoenix police.

Police said both were a year younger during the armed robbery where David Bessent, 41, and Zachary Walter, 24, were shot and killed just after 3:30 a.m. on Oct. 5, 2018, near Third Avenue and Roosevelt Street. Police said the two men were walking in the area after they had left their jobs at Jobot Coffee & Bar near Third and Roosevelt streets.

The deaths surprised their friends and coworkers, who described the two as gentle and loving, and known artists in the area. About 25 of their friends and coworkers joined together for a vigil in remembrance of the two.

READ MORE: Gallery to premiere work of Phoenix artist fatally shot

Police also said they’re still looking for two other suspects.

Court records show both Palafox-Zermeno and Cervantes are being charged with two counts of first-degree murder. Cervantes is also being charged with two counts of armed robbery and two counts of aggravated assault.

Palafox-Zermano, however, is being charged with two counts of attempted armed robbery and attempted aggravated assault according to court documents.

Both were arrested and booked into a Maricopa County jail on $1 million bond, though court records show Cervantes is barred from receiving a loan from a bail bondsman.

Reach the reporter Perry Vandell at 602-444-2474 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @PerryVandell.

Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today.

Read or Share this story: https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix-breaking/2019/08/28/teenage-roosevelt-row-murder-suspects-charged-adults-antonio-palafox-zermeno-castulo-cervantes/2145693001/