Investigators Believe Vehicle Hijacked By Vicosa And Bynum Was Still Moving When Fatal Shots Were Fired
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- In their ongoing investigation, Maryland State Police now believe they know who likely fired the bullets that killed six-year-old and seven-year-old sisters Giana and Aaminah Vicosa: Their father.
"At this point, investigators believe the suspected shooter was [Robert] Vicosa. However, that has to be confirmed pending the autopsy results," Elena Russo, with state police told WJZ Investigator Mike Hellgren."
The manhunt for Robert Vicosa, an officer recently fired from the Baltimore County Police Department, stretched for four days as authorities tracked him from York, Pennsylvania to Baltimore County to Smithsburg in Western Maryland Thursday afternoon.
The Ford Edge he is accused of carjacking in Cockeysville had a tracking device, which sources told WJZ was not placed there by a police department.
Pennsylvania State Police, who were pursuing the carjacked SUV near Smithsburg, activated their lights and sirens. That is when Maryland State Police believe Vicosa fired the deadly shots.
"Investigators believe it was less than 30 seconds after investigators activated their emergency equipment before that vehicle veered off the road," Russo told Hellgren. She said there were no signs the driver ever hit the brakes and that is why police believe Vicosa fired the shots while the car was still moving.
Maryland State Police said Vicosa was in the back seat with his daughters and his friend and alleged accomplice Tia Bynum, a sergeant with the Baltimore County police department, was driving.
The crime spree began days earlier in York County, Pennsylvania when police said Vicosa assaulted his estranged wife at her home. Police said he was able to elude authorities for days with Bynum's help.
Friday morning, Baltimore County's police chief tweeted, "The tragedy that occurred yesterday was beyond horrific. This was a selfish and senseless act of violence that has shaken us to our very core…"
Police found four weapons in the Ford with Vicosa including an assault rifle in the back seat.
