Local

Man who shot Jacksonville undercover officer found guilty of attempted murder

A man who shot into a Jacksonville undercover detective's car in March 2016 was found guilty Thursday of attempted murder in the first degree.

Kevin Rojas, now 21, was also found guilty of attempted manslaughter, grand theft auto, fleeing or attempting to elude a law enforcement officer and two counts of aggravated assault.

In March 2016, an undercover officer, who Action News Jax is not identifying, driving his son to school noticed Rojas, then 19, driving erratically on Collins Road.

The detective put on a tactical vest and tried to initiate a traffic stop, but Rojas fled. After a short pursuit, Rojas got out of his car and began shooting at the detective on the railroad tracks on Collins Road.

Rojas fired four bullets at the detective and took off on foot.

The detective returned fire at Rojas, but none of the rounds hit Rojas.

On Tuesday, the detective testified against Rojas, showing the jury his wounds and telling them what the bullets felt like.

"I didn't know I got shot before that. It just felt like punches," the detective said in court.

The jury took less than an hour and a half to reach a guilty verdict on all counts for Rojas.

Sentencing for Rojas is scheduled for Nov. 27. Prosecutor Bernie de la Rionda said he will seek the maximum penalty for Rojas' sentencing, which is life in prison.