Vernal PD provided a press release on Wednesday sharing the name of the victim in the July 3rd shooting in Vernal. “The victim was identified as 25-year-old Joe Bosquez,” shared Vernal PD, who then offered their condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Bosquez. Bosquez was admitted to the hospital on Wednesday, June 3rd after Central Dispatch received a call for medical personnel to respond to an unknown problem in the area of 250 West and 400 North in downtown Vernal. Officers were able to quickly identify a suspect in the shooting and teams of officers were sent to locate the suspect. Approximately a half hour later, officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle in the area of 700 West and 450 South. The suspect fled from the vehicle and ran to a nearby residence on 500 South. After approximately 2 hours of negotiations with the suspect, he exited the residence but was uncooperative and turned to re-enter the residence at which time a canine was deployed. The suspect, identified as 31-year-old Christopher Travis Herrera, was taken into custody and booked into Uintah County Jail. Herrera told investigators that he didn’t mean to kill him he also stated that he believed the victim deserved it. The autopsy revealed that the victim, Joe Bosquez, had been shot a total of 8 times, twice from the front and the remaining from behind or above. Herrera has been charged with 1st Degree Murder in 8th District Court. Evans Family Media joins Vernal PD in offering our condolences to the family and friends of Joe Bosquez.
