Man accused of killing Washington police officer charged with murder

EVERETT, Wash. — The Snohomish County Prosecutors’ Workplace has formally filed costs in opposition to a person accused of fatally taking pictures Everett police officer Dan Rocha final month.

Richard Rotter, 50, has been charged with aggravated first-degree homicide, illegal possession of a firearm and possession of a managed substance with intent to fabricate or ship, The Day by day Herald reported. His arraignment listening to is scheduled for April 19.

Within the two automobiles Rotter used that day, police mentioned they discovered a rifle, two sorts of ammunition and 1,950 capsules “per fentanyl,” together with what seemed to be heroin and methamphetamine.

Round 2 p.m. March 25, Rocha was working his patrol shift when he went right into a Starbucks, in keeping with the charging paperwork signed by deputy prosecutor Craig Matheson. Whereas ready for his espresso, Rocha observed Rotter shifting weapons and objects from a Mini Cooper right into a Ford Fusion, paperwork mentioned.

Rocha, 41, turned on his body-worn digital camera, telling dispatch he was checking on “suspicious” circumstances. He requested for a backup officer, and a police sergeant mentioned he’d be there shortly. Within the meantime, Rocha approached Rotter and requested in regards to the weapons. The interplay was caught on digital camera, Matheson wrote.

Rotter claimed he had simply purchased the Ford Fusion.

Rotter gave Rocha his ID, and a dispatcher advised Rocha there was a home violence assault warrant for Rotter’s arrest and that he had a earlier felony conviction, the fees say. Rocha reportedly advised Rotter he was not free to depart as a result of he was now below investigation for suspicion of unlawfully having a firearm. Rotter grew to become agitated, Matheson wrote.

Rotter reportedly moved towards the Ford. The officer advised him to place his palms behind his again, and tried to place him in handcuffs, however the two two wrestled and fell to the pavement, in keeping with the fees.

“5 distinct ‘pops’ will be heard till officer Rocha’s physique digital camera finally ends up going through upwards, immobile, and you may see (Rotter) rise up and go in direction of the Mini Cooper,” Matheson wrote. “The automobile begins, backs over Rocha, obstructing the view momentarily, after which speeds off.”

Rocha was pronounced useless on the scene.

In accordance with the fees, the Mini Cooper ran two pink lights and crashed into two different automobiles. Police then arrested Rotter, who suffered no accidents.

Rotter, who has a prolonged felony historical past, had advised at the least two individuals not too long ago that he by no means wished to return to jail, in keeping with the charging paperwork.

Rotter remained in custody Friday on the Snohomish County Jail with bail set at $5 million. It wasn’t instantly recognized if Rotter has a lawyer to touch upon the case.

Rocha grew to become a totally commissioned police officer in Everett in 2018. He’s survived by a spouse and two youngsters.

— The Related Press