The Clay County Prosecutor’s Office has charged the suspect who allegedly shot and killed North Kansas City Police Officer Daniel Vasquez. Joshua T. Rocha, 24, is charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action. He is held on $2 million bond.

Officer Vasquez stopped Rocha on Tuesday morning for an expired temporary tag on his vehicle near 21st and Clay Streets in North Kansas City.

Video from Vasquez’s dash camera showed Rocha opening the door of his car and firing a firearm at Vasquez. According to court documents, Rocha then got out of the car and shot Vasquez two more times after he fell to the street. Rocha then returned to his car and drove away.

At about 1:50 Tuesday afternoon, Rocha drove to the Clay County Annex to turn himself in. Court documents state that he told an employee at the Annex, “I committed murder”.

Probable cause statements show that after his arrest, Rocha admitted shooting Officer Vasquez because he didn't want to go to jail for the vehicle's expired tags. The documents state that he pulled the rifle into his lap and shot Vasquez out of his car window as he approached the vehicle. 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.

After leaving the shooting scene, Rocha told investigators he tried to alter his appearance by changing his clothes and shaving off his goatee. He also changed the appearance of his vehicle by spray painting the trunk white and removing the temporary tag.

Rocha will appear by video to be arraigned in Division 7 of Clay County District Court at 1:30 pm on Thursday.

KPGZ News - Brian Watts contributed to this story