Migrant worker charged with killing his former boss
KENT COUNTY, Mich. (NEWSCHANNEL 3) – In Kent County, a migrant worker is behind bars, accused of killing his former boss.
Edward Rasch ran a family farm in Alpine Township. On Friday night, police found him dead in a worker housing unit. He'd been shot in the chest.
Investigators think J. Soccoro Hurtada-Garcia is the man who pulled the trigger. On Monday Hurtada-Garcia was charged with murder.
Hurtada-Garcia is being held at the Kent County jail. Investigators say he shot Rasch while Rasch was handing out paychecks to his employees on Friday evening.
On Monday, Newschannel 3 spoke to family members of Rasch who said they “can't believe this happened, his employees loved and respected him,” and also that “Ed was the ultimate family man.”
Rasch's farm is in a quiet area of Alpine Township where apple trees out number people and family farms are passed from generation to generation.
“It's not real busy out here,” said neighbor Kathy Snyder. “Everybody pretty much waves, it's nice out here.”
The name Rasch is one that almost everyone knows. Snyder's home is one of only a few in the area not owned by a Rasch, some who have been around awhile say that the street was almost named Rasch Road.
Snyder and her family live just down the road from Rasch Farm.
“Their dogs get loose and come down here, so I've called a few times and they come to get them,” said Snyder.
When Edward Rasch was shot to death on Friday night, Snyder says the word spread fast.
“How sad, you just think how somebody can lose their family that quick,” said Snyder.
The Kent County Sheriff's Office says the man who they believe shot Rasch, Hurtado-Garcia, was a 20-year employee at Rasch Farms, he also lived on the property. Hurtado-Garcia was recently laid off, and investigators believe that's why he shot Rasch in the chest.
Hurtado-Garcia was arraigned Monday, charged with 1st degree murder. His bail was set at a half a million dollars.
