and from the Arizona Daily (RED) Star Authorities ID entrant, 41, shot in border pursuit By Dale Quinn Arizona Daily Star Tucson, Arizona | Published: 10.27.2007 The Cochise County Sheriff's Office on Friday identified a suspected drug smuggler who was shot and injured by a federal agent Thursday afternoon. Ramon Davalos-Lopez, 41, an illegal entrant, was shot east of Douglas after he fled from authorities in a stolen vehicle loaded with more than 800 pounds of marijuana, said Carol Capas, a sheriff's spokeswoman. The shooting occurred about 1:45 p.m. Agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Border Patrol, along with the Douglas Police Department, observed Davalos-Lopez in a pickup truck while investigating a drug-smuggling organization, said Vincent Picard, an ICE spokesman. Davalos-Lopez noticed he was under surveillance and fled, Picard said. According to a press release from the sheriff's department, Davalos-Lopez sped and drove erratically through residential areas and school zones, so authorities tried to use a spike-strip to deflate the truck's tires and stop him. Afterward, Davalos-Lopez continued to drive threateningly toward patrol vehicles and agents. An ICE agent, whose name has not been released, was able to position himself in front of the truck while Border Patrol agents were behind it. After determining Davalos-Lopez still posed a threat to law enforcement, he fired, according to the release. Davalos-Lopez was shot in the right arm and taken to a Tucson hospital, the release says. He was later arrested by ICE agents after authorities found more than 800 pounds of marijuana in the truck. "This is the third incident in four days in which this drug organization has resorted to ramming law enforcement vehicles in order to escape," Picard said. On Monday, a suspected smuggler from the same organization slammed a vehicle into pursuing Border Patrol agents while fleeing to Mexico, Picard said. On Wednesday another suspected smuggler attempted to run down Douglas police officers, Picard said. The investigation into the drug-trafficking organization is ongoing, Picard said. The ICE office of professional standards and the sheriff's department are investigating the shooting. ● Contact reporter Dale Quinn at 629-9412 or dquinn@azstarnet.com.
and from the Arizona Daily (RED) Star
Authorities ID entrant, 41, shot in border pursuit
By Dale Quinn
Arizona Daily Star Tucson, Arizona | Published: 10.27.2007
The Cochise County Sheriff's Office on Friday identified a suspected drug smuggler who was shot and injured by a federal agent Thursday afternoon.
Ramon Davalos-Lopez, 41, an illegal entrant, was shot east of Douglas after he fled from authorities in a stolen vehicle loaded with more than 800 pounds of marijuana, said Carol Capas, a sheriff's spokeswoman.
The shooting occurred about 1:45 p.m.
Agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Border Patrol, along with the Douglas Police Department, observed Davalos-Lopez in a pickup truck while investigating a drug-smuggling organization, said Vincent Picard, an ICE spokesman.
Davalos-Lopez noticed he was under surveillance and fled, Picard said. According to a press release from the sheriff's department, Davalos-Lopez sped and drove erratically through residential areas and school zones, so authorities tried to use a spike-strip to deflate the truck's tires and stop him.
Afterward, Davalos-Lopez continued to drive threateningly toward patrol vehicles and agents. An ICE agent, whose name has not been released, was able to position himself in front of the truck while Border Patrol agents were behind it.
After determining Davalos-Lopez still posed a threat to law enforcement, he fired, according to the release.
Davalos-Lopez was shot in the right arm and taken to a Tucson hospital, the release says. He was later arrested by ICE agents after authorities found more than 800 pounds of marijuana in the truck.
"This is the third incident in four days in which this drug organization has resorted to ramming law enforcement vehicles in order to escape," Picard said.
On Monday, a suspected smuggler from the same organization slammed a vehicle into pursuing Border Patrol agents while fleeing to Mexico, Picard said.
On Wednesday another suspected smuggler attempted to run down Douglas police officers, Picard said.
The investigation into the drug-trafficking organization is ongoing, Picard said.
The ICE office of professional standards and the sheriff's department are investigating the shooting.
● Contact reporter Dale Quinn at 629-9412 or dquinn@azstarnet.com.