On September 7^th, in Volusia County, three people were arrested for the death of army veteran, Carlos Cruz-Echevarria, who was killed last Veterans Day. According to police, a hitman was hired to prevent Cruz-Echevarria from testifying in a road rage case.  

Investigators said that in May of 2017, Cruz-Echevarria honked at a car sitting idly at a green light.  The driver of the car, Kelsey McFoley, then pulled up next to Cruz-Echevarria, pointing a gun, and asking him “If he had a problem.” Cruz-Echevarria managed to write down McFoley’s license plate number. After the incident, McFoley was charged with aggravated assault and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. Cruz-Echevarria was supposed to go on trial in December 2017.

To avoid going to prison, McFoley hired a known killer, and criminal associate, Benjamin Bascom to kill Cruz-Echevarria. McFoley, Bascom, and Melissa Rios Roque all planned to kill Cruz-Echevarria. Roque’s role in the plan was to follow Cruz-Echevarria and help Bascom escape after the murder.

On Veteran’s day, Bascom went to Cruz-Echevarria’s house to execute the plan, but he was not home. While patrolling the streets for Cruz-Echevarria, Bascom’s truck got stuck in a muddy ditch. Cruz-Echevarria then pulled up next to the truck to help him out. That was when Bascom shot Cruz-Echevarria multiple times in the head and escaped the area.

Investigators found DNA evidence that linked Bascom to the stolen truck as well as Cruz-Echevarria’s burned car that was found 60 miles away from the crime scene. Police said that looking at phone records made between McFoley, Bascom, and Roque, is what got the criminals arrested.