Multi-agency homicide task force reports success

ORLANDO, Fla. — It's nearly been a month since Edy Vasquez was gunned down in a robbery attempt in his Apopka driveway.

"God is looking down, he's going to be the last judge of whoever took his life," family friend Sabrina Jones said.

Detectives said their team of 19 investigators is working to bring his family justice Tuesday.

"It's very frustrating they don't know who," Jones said.

The killing is just one of 36 homicides members of the Joint Homicide Investigation Team worked its inaugural year.

To date, detectives have solved all but eight cases.

"I can tell you that the creation of the JHIT is the best thing law enforcement has done in Orange County," State Attorney Jeff Ashton said.

Ashton's predecessor launched "J-HIT," as it's known, last July.

It's made of 12 police departments in Orange and Osceola counties.

Lead by Orlando officers, it's meant to give muscle to smaller agencies like Ocoee and Maitland.

Police chiefs gathered to report the task force is making their streets safer Tuesday.

"Is JHIT working? Absolutely, probably more than expected," Orlando Police Chief Paul Rooney said.

As far as cost, the agency where the homicide occurred foots the bill.

If detectives travel out of their jurisdiction, it's on the hook for overtime.

Rooney said it's a small price to pay.

WFTV