Savage man Joshua Rocha charged with attempted murder after Bloomington police shootout near Killebrew Dr.
On Dec. 4 around 10:30 p.m., Bloomington officers engaged in a gunbattle with 21-year-old Joshua Rocha of Savage after stopping a suspected wrong-way driver near Old Shakopee Road and Killebrew Drive; police say they disabled his vehicle with PIT maneuvers, deployed PepperBall rounds and an armored vehicle when commands were ignored, and Rocha allegedly fired numerous rounds from an assault-style rifle that struck a squad car while officers returned fire, injuring Rocha’s hands. The BCA identified the five officers who shot — Sgt. Jeremy Pilcher and Officers David Rodriguez, Carson Sanchez, Taylor Huss and John Bunnell — recovered a rifle, a handgun and ammunition from Rocha’s vehicle, placed the officers on critical-incident leave, and Rocha is charged in Hennepin County with three counts of attempted murder and three counts of first-degree assault, with a first court appearance set for Dec. 12 as the BCA investigates.
📌 Key Facts
- Joshua Rocha, 21, of Savage, was charged in Hennepin County with three counts of attempted murder and three counts of first-degree assault following the incident.
- The incident occurred around 10:30 p.m. on Dec. 4 near Old Shakopee Road and Killebrew Drive after officers spotted a wrong-way driver.
- Police used PIT maneuvers to disable the vehicle, deployed PepperBall rounds after commands were ignored, and an armored vehicle was used to approach and contain the suspect's vehicle.
- The BCA says Rocha fired numerous rounds from inside his vehicle; officers reported seeing an "assault-style" rifle and rounds struck a squad car, and five officers returned fire, injuring Rocha’s hands.
- The five officers who discharged their firearms were Sgt. Jeremy Pilcher (24 years), Officer David Rodriguez (8), Officer Carson Sanchez (5), Officer Taylor Huss (9), and Officer John Bunnell (8); all are on standard critical-incident leave and squad- and body-camera footage has been collected.
- Recovered from Rocha’s vehicle were a rifle, a handgun and ammunition.
- Chief Booker Hodges provided on-record statements and confirmed body-worn cameras were recording; the BCA will present its findings to the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office and Rocha’s first court appearance is scheduled for Dec. 12.
📊 Relevant Data
Joshua Rocha has a criminal history that includes drunken driving and fleeing police.
Police: Officers exchange gunfire near MOA with man, arrest him after he's wounded — Star Tribune
Police believe Joshua Rocha was drunk at the time of the incident.
Police: Officers exchange gunfire near MOA with man, arrest him after he's wounded — Star Tribune
In Minnesota, Black people comprise 6% of the population but accounted for 24% of people killed by police from 2013 to 2023.
Police Scorecard: Minnesota — Police Scorecard
Black individuals in Minnesota are 5.4 times more likely to be killed by police than White individuals.
Police Scorecard: Minnesota — Police Scorecard
In 2024, Black individuals, who make up approximately 7% of Minnesota's population, accounted for approximately 58% of known murder offenders.
2024 BCA Uniform Crime Report — Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension
Bloomington's BIPOC population has increased from approximately 20% in 2010 to 33% in 2024.
HRA Annual Report 2024 — City of Bloomington, MN
📰 Sources (3)
- BCA identified the five Bloomington officers who discharged their firearms: Sgt. Jeremy Pilcher (24 years), Officer David Rodriguez (8), Officer Carson Sanchez (5), Officer Taylor Huss (9), and Officer John Bunnell (8).
- BCA confirms five officers returned fire after shots were fired from inside Joshua Rocha’s vehicle, striking a squad car.
- Recovered evidence from Rocha’s vehicle includes a rifle, a handgun and ammunition.
- All five officers are on standard critical-incident leave; squad and body camera footage has been collected.
- BCA reiterates tactical steps used: PIT maneuver, PepperBall rounds, and armored vehicle approach for the arrest.
- First court appearance for Rocha is scheduled for Dec. 12; case findings will be presented to the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office.
- Suspect identified as Joshua Rocha, 21, of Savage.
- Charged in Hennepin County with three counts of attempted murder and three counts of first-degree assault.
- Incident occurred around 10:30 p.m. Dec. 4 near Old Shakopee Road and Killebrew Drive after officers spotted a wrong-way driver.
- Police used PIT maneuvers to disable the vehicle; deployed pepper balls after commands were ignored.
- An officer saw an 'assault-style' rifle; Rocha allegedly fired numerous rounds at a squad car; officers returned fire, injuring Rocha’s hands.
- Chief Booker Hodges provided on-record statements and confirmed body cameras were recording.