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Updated 06/23/2005 05:33 PM

Rocha investigation turned over to DA

By: News 8 Austin Staff

The initial investigation into the Austin Police Department officer shooting death of Daniel Rocha, 18, has been finished.

On Thursday, the police department turned the report over to the Travis County district attorney's office for review and grand jury presentation.

The complete criminal investigation is about 95 percent complete, Assistant Police Chief Rudy Landeros said.

On June 9, Officer Julie Schroeder shot Rocha in the back after stopping the SUV he was riding in with two other men at the intersection of South Pleasant Valley Road and Quick Silver Road.

Police were reacting to a call about suspected drug activity involving the SUV. Rocha struggled with Schroeder and other officers at the scene. He had a set of brass knuckles in his pocket but was otherwise unarmed. Autopsy results showed no drugs or alcohol in his system.

Police especially want to interview Ricardo (Ricky) Ulfeng, 18, who ran from the scene. He is the missing link to the story, Landeros said.

The department has also hired a crime scene reconstructionist to determine where Rocha and Schroeder were during the incident.

Police anticipate the investigation being complete by the first week of July.

The police department will not take an offiicial stance on whether Schroeder's shooting was just until after the grand jury completes its work.

The Austin Police Department homicide unit is still investigating the incident and is still looking for witnesses.

Anyone with details should call the homicide tip line at (512) 477-3588 or the police monitor's office (512) 974-9090.

Rocha demonstration

The shooting has been a heated issue in the community. On Thursday demonstrators gathered outside Austin’s City Hall to protest. Last week, the city held a community forum last week to discuss the investigation.