Documents filed Wednesday detail the McArdle Road killing and the traffic stop where the suspect allegedly fired from inside a patrol vehicle after being searched.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Probable cause statements obtained by 3NEWS Wednesday provide detailed accounts of the events that led to an officer-involved shooting in Corpus Christi last Friday.

According to the probable cause statements, the incident began Friday afternoon when officers were dispatched to the 2400 block of McArdle Road, where a man was found lying in the roadway with multiple gunshot wounds to the face. The victim was transported to CHRISTUS Spohn Shoreline, where he later died. 

Witnesses told police the victim had been walking along McArdle Road when a white van pulled alongside him. The driver was described as a heavyset Hispanic male who allegedly told the victim, “you owe me,” before shooting him. The suspect then exited the van and fired additional shots into the victim before fleeing the area.

An officer responding to the scene reported locating what appeared to be a small-caliber handgun casing near where the victim was found, believed to be consistent with a .22-caliber firearm, according to the probable cause statement.

Police later identified the suspect vehicle as a white Chevrolet van and located it during a traffic stop near Agnes Street and Elesa Street. Court documents state the sole occupant was identified as Ricardo Rojas.

According to the filings, officers ordered Rojas out of the van and conducted a search to ensure he did not have any weapons on him. After the search, Rojas was placed in the back of a patrol vehicle. The documents do not state whether Rojas was handcuffed at that time.

The probable cause statements say that when officers later opened the rear door of the patrol unit, Rojas opened fire from inside the vehicle. Two officers were shot, and a third officer was injured by shrapnel. Officers returned fire, striking Rojas multiple times in the legs.

All injured officers and Rojas were transported to local medical facilities for treatment.

Rojas was later booked into the Nueces County jail. Court records show he is charged with four counts of attempted capital murder, capital murder, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.

He has a combined bond total $4,850,000.

This is a developing story. We will provide updates as more information becomes available.