The suspect in the shooting death of a North Kansas City, Missouri, police officer last year may face the death penalty.

The Clay County Prosecuting Attorney's Office announced that it has filed a notice of intent to seek the death penalty against Joshua T. Rocha.

Rocha has been charged with first-degree murder for the shooting death of North Kansas City Officer Daniel Vasquez.

According to Clay County, Missouri, Sheriff Will Akin, Vasquez attempted to pull over Rocha in a gray older-model Ford Taurus with an expired paper tag near 21st Avenue and Clay Street in NKC.

Investigators say that's when the suspect opened fire, seriously wounding Vasquez. Probable cause documents from police say that Rocha was on his way to buy ammunition for a rifle that was in his possession.

After turning himself in to the police, Rocha told arresting officers that he didn't want to go to jail for the vehicle's expired tags. He pulled his rifle into his lap and shot Vasquez out of his car window as he approached the vehicle. Records suggest Rocha then exited the vehicle and emptied the rest of his gun's magazine at the officer before getting back in his car and driving away.

Rocha also said that he attempted to alter his appearance and spray paint his vehicle before giving up on the effort and turning himself in to Clay County authorities.

Vasquez was rushed to a nearby hospital but he died from his injuries.

Officials said Vasquez joined the North Kansas City Police Department in 2021. Vasquez’s death is the first time an officer from the police department died in the line of duty.

The Clay County Prosecutor’s Office announced Rocha has also been charged with armed criminal action and has a bond set at $2 million.

KPGZ News - Jim Dickerson contributed to this story