A man confessed to authorities, that he fired off his rifle five times during the incident because he did not want to go to jail, during a simple traffic stop.
Joshua Rocha, 24, faces charges of first-degree murder and armed criminal action in connection with the Tuesday shooting death of 32-year-old North Kansas City Police Officer Daniel Vasquez.
Rocha’s bond has been set at $2 million.
Vasquez attempted to pull Rocha over in Kansas City, Mo., for expired tags Tuesday morning. Then, Rocha immediately fired a .300 Blackout rifle at Vasquez as he approached his car door. Rocha quickly exited his vehicle and shot Vasquez again, as he lay on the ground wounded.
Reports filed, claim the rifle malfunctioned, prompting Rocha to allegedly clear it, reload, and shoot Vasquez one last time, emptying the magazine.
Rocha allegedly told police he believes he fired off at least five rounds during the incident. He then confessed he fled the scene, shaved his goatee, changed his clothes, removed the tag from his vehicle, and spray-painted the back of it.
Hours later, Rocha turned himself in to authorities and allegedly admitted to the killing of Vasquez because he did not want to go to jail or have his vehicle towed.
During an interview with investigators, Rocha said he was on his way to buy ammunition for his rifle, when he was pulled over by Vasquez.
“He was my baby brother,” Vasquez’s sister Areli Vasquez said during a vigil for the fallen officer Wednesday. “His dream was to be a police officer because he wanted to serve the community. He wanted to be a hero. They took him away from us.”
North Kansas City Police Chief Kevin Freeman said, “Vasquez was a shining star in our organization, and we are deeply hurting from this devastating loss.”
If convicted of murder, Rocha could face the death penalty or life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Absolutely senseless murder of a lawman. God rest his soul, help his family Lord, please.
A product of Liberal education?
It is the LIBERAL MEDIA that encourages hatred of the police and all authority, the media wants complete anarchy and the over throw of this country’s policies.