Chase ends in tragedy: Police identify man accused of killing 6-year-old daughter in Anson County
ANSON COUNTY, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) – The Polkton Police Department has identified the father and 6-year-old daughter involved in a reported abduction that turned into a police chase that tragically ended in a fatal shooting and attempted suicide.
Authorities said around 3:00 a.m. Monday, March 24, Michael Rufus Roach threatened his partner with a gun inside their home along West Street in Polkton before taking their 6-year-old daughter out of the house and driving away in his partner's Jeep.
Polkton Police said an Amber Alert was never issued in this domestic case because, 'there was no legal documentation establishing custody.'
Police searched for Roach but were unable to find him following the initial 911 call from the mother. A 'Be On The Lookout' (BOLO) was issued for both Roach and the missing vehicle.
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Just after 8:00 a.m. that morning, deputies spotted Roach in the stolen black Jeep Liberty and tried to pull him over. Roach reportedly did not stop, and a police pursuit began.
Authorities said Roach lost control of the Jeep while traveling north on Little Creek Road and crashed into a ditch. As officers approached the vehicle, they discovered Roach had shot himself in the driver's seat after reportedly shooting his daughter in the passenger seat.
Mianna Roach, 6, tragically passed away from her injuries at the scene, authorities said.
Roach was transported to Atrium Anson and then flown to CMC Main, where he remains in critical condition at this time.
'My heartfelt prayers go out to the families affected by this tragedy. I also want to express my gratitude to the first responders, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation and the Anson County Sheriff's Office for their dedication and support,' Polkton Police Chief Tim Hutchnson said in a released statement on Tuesday.
A fund has been started to help the family with funeral costs.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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