Carlos Cruz-Echevarria, a 60-year-old Hispanic male, was tragically murdered on November 11, 2017, in Deltona, Florida. The incident occurred near his home at the intersection of Malaga Avenue and Puritan Street. Cruz-Echevarria, known for his kind-hearted nature, was attempting to assist a motorist whose vehicle was stuck in a ditch when he was fatally shot. The vehicle in question was later determined to be stolen.
Initially, it appeared that Cruz-Echevarria was killed during a robbery attempt for his truck, which was later found burned out in South Apopka. However, further investigation revealed a more sinister motive behind his death.
The Volusia County Sheriff's Office conducted a thorough investigation, uncovering that Cruz-Echevarria's murder was a premeditated execution. The motive was to prevent him from testifying in a road rage case. Cruz-Echevarria had been a victim in this case, which involved Kelsey Terrance McFoley, a 28-year-old male, who had pointed a gun at him during a traffic altercation on May 2, 2017. McFoley, fearing the consequences of Cruz-Echevarria's testimony, orchestrated the murder-for-hire plot.
Three individuals were charged in connection with the murder. Benjamin Jaquaric Antonio Bascom, a 24-year-old male, was identified as the trigger man. Bascom was hired by McFoley to carry out the execution. On the day of the murder, Bascom's vehicle got stuck in a ditch near Cruz-Echevarria's home. When Cruz-Echevarria stopped to help, Bascom shot him multiple times, killing him instantly. McFoley's girlfriend, Melissa Rios Roque, a 21-year-old female, was also implicated in the plot. She was involved in the planning and was supposed to help Bascom escape after the murder.
The investigation relied heavily on phone records and DNA evidence, which linked Bascom to both the crime scene and the stolen vehicle. The phone records also revealed communication between Bascom and McFoley, detailing the instructions for the murder. McFoley was already in prison for unrelated charges when he was convicted of first-degree murder in Cruz-Echevarria's case. He received a mandatory life sentence without the possibility of parole. Bascom was also sentenced to life in prison without parole after being found guilty of first-degree murder and witness tampering. Rios Roque, who was pregnant with McFoley's child at the time of the murder, is awaiting trial on charges of first-degree murder.
This tragic case highlights the brutal and premeditated nature of the crime, as well as the extensive efforts by law enforcement to bring the perpetrators to justice. Cruz-Echevarria's death was a significant loss to his community, where he was respected and loved. The case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by those who stand up against criminal activities and the lengths to which some individuals will go to silence witnesses.
