Accident – Death – Obituary News :
In a heartbreaking turn of events, the victim from the January 28 shooting in White City has tragically passed away on February 21, as confirmed by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office. The suspect, 27-year-old Hector Cruz Orozco, is now facing upgraded charges of second-degree murder following the death of 36-year-old Casey Ryan Helmka.
Suspect’s Initial Charges
Orozco was initially charged with second-degree attempted murder, first-degree assault, and two counts of felon in possession of a firearm. However, with Helmka’s untimely death after spending 24 days in the hospital, Orozco’s charges have been elevated to second-degree murder.
Details of the Incident
The tragic incident occurred at a mobile home in the 3700 block of Falcon Street on the evening of January 28. Orozco and the victim were at the residence when Orozco shot Helmka at close range before fleeing the scene on a bicycle. Despite the efforts of law enforcement, Orozco managed to evade capture initially.
It wasn’t until the following day that Orozco was located at a house in the 7800 block of Laura Lane in White City. Police apprehended him on January 29 at 5:54 p.m., bringing him into custody for further questioning and investigation.
Condolences and Ongoing Investigation
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office expressed their heartfelt condolences to Helmka’s friends and family during this difficult time. The case remains under investigation as authorities work to uncover more details surrounding the tragic shooting incident.
For more information on this developing story, you can visit the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page.
Stay Updated
Isabela Lund, the digital content manager at NewsWatch 12, is closely following this story. For any inquiries or additional information, you can contact her at ilund@kdrv.com. Stay tuned for more updates on this tragic incident in White City.
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