Mother honors son killed in road-rage incident

Lori Rocha releases balloons on Aaron Rocha's 26th birthday

A San Antonio mother honored her son on his birthday Wednesday, nearly a year after he was shot and killed.

"My son's life was taken in what police are calling a random road rage," Lori Rocha said. "So, I want to flip that on his birthday to a random act of kindness."

To honor her son, Aaron Rocha, Lori Rocha and members of her family released 26 balloons. Each balloon had a lottery ticket placed inside. 

Related: Mother fights to find son's killer almost 1 year after his death

Lori Rocha said her son was always there for others, and she wanted to remember him in a way that could also help others.  

"We will continue to celebrate his life," Rocha said. "He's not here with us, but he is here with us, and he'll continue to live on in our hearts."

Police said that on Nov. 26, 2016, Aaron Rocha was in the backseat of an SUV on Huebner Road at Northwest Military Drive when someone shot him.

The shooter was in a sedan and had been following the SUV that Rocha was riding in before someone in the car started shooting.

Rocha and the driver of that SUV were hit by gunfire.

Lori Rocha said the shooter didn't know her son.

Related: Friends, family remember man killed in road rage incident

"They shot the car he was a passenger in," Rocha said. "The driver was shot. He survived. My son did not, and it was someone full of hate and rage on a rampage on the streets of San Antonio and they're still out there."

Police said they believe there were at least two people inside the car and they are describing it as a sedan similar to a Toyota Camry. 

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 210-224-7867.

Rocha said a reward of $5,000 is being offered for information that leads to an arrest.


About the Author:

Stephanie Serna is a weekday anchor on Good Morning San Antonio and GMSA at 9 a.m. She joined the KSAT 12 News team in November 2009 as a general assignments reporter.