FORT WORTH, TX – A man charged with murder in a deadly road rage incident allegedly attempted to evade authorities before eventually confessing to the crime. Kobie Burkhart, 22, was arrested after dash camera footage from the victim’s vehicle captured the fatal shooting. The footage showed Burkhart shooting and killing the victim, Ricky Langes, after a confrontation in a roundabout and later at a stoplight.
According to Fort Worth police, Burkhart tried to alter his vehicle’s appearance by changing the license plates and hiding his Chevy SUV under tarps. The victim’s family revealed they were unaware of the dash camera in Langes’ car but were grateful for its existence, believing it was crucial in identifying the suspect.
Shelby Johnson, Langes’ daughter, expressed relief that the dash camera footage led investigators to Burkhart. She emphasized the importance of the footage, saying it was unlikely they would have known the identity of the perpetrator so quickly without it. The footage reportedly shows Langes honking at Burkhart, followed by two gunshots as Burkhart pulled up beside Langes at a stoplight. Langes then lost control of his vehicle, crashing into a median.
Burkhart, after his arrest, claimed Langes had a gun, though he could not provide a detailed description, only stating it was “probably black.” Investigators later confirmed that Langes did not have a gun in his car. Johnson shared her anguish upon hearing her father’s voice on the dash camera footage, recounting his cries for help after being shot.
Despite the tragedy, Johnson found some solace in Burkhart’s apprehension, acknowledging that while it won’t bring her father back, justice has been served. She expressed gratitude for the investigators’ dedication and thoroughness in solving the case.
Authorities found the original license plates and the gun used in the shooting hidden in Burkhart’s home. Johnson vowed to attend all court proceedings to ensure justice for her father.
The case highlights the significance of dash cameras in providing critical evidence in criminal investigations, offering a measure of closure to grieving families while aiding law enforcement in solving complex cases.