Two Illegal Immigrants Shot To Death In Pinal County

KOLD-TV ^ | October 16, 2002 | Staff

[Tancred]

Pinal County authorities are looking for a man who opened fire on a group of illegal immigrants in a desert area near Red Rock Wednesday afternoon. Two were killed, and an unknown amount of others were injuried.

Investigators say a group of at least 12 immigrants were gathered at a stock pond when somebody drove up, got out of the vehicle, and opened fire. Some of the immigrants were able to run for cover. A helicopter was looking for other survivors Wednesday night, but had found nothing. Authorities are now shifting their focus towards finding the gunman.

Shell casings from a rifle and handgun were found at the scene. The immigrants have given a description of the man to authorities, but information is still coming slowly, due to the language barrier.

Deputies do not believe the shooting is related to "wildcat" shooters, who commonly use the area for target practice.

[Tancred]

Holy cow! I favor immigration reform, including the jailing and deportation of illegals, and stiff fines for their employers, but shooting them goes a bit too far (although there's nothing wrong with a good caning). But what's the deal with this guy? Was he just some nut who flipped out, or (possible, but less likely) was this drug-related?

[Seruzawa]

Where was Willie Green when this happened?

[keving]

Olive skinned man shoots brown skilled refugees, flees scene in white late model van. Developing...

[DrCarl]

If this happened every day, we'd soon not have an illegal Mexican problem.

[alaskanfan]

If this happened every day, we'd soon not have an illegal Mexican problem.

Especially if it were well publicised south of the border.

[Chad Fairbanks]

Well, ya know... it's not like they were LEGAL immigrants... they were felons, breaking the law. Period.

[Lil'freeper]

Was he just some nut who flipped out, or (possible, but less likely) was this drug-related?

Could be, but in general landowners are reaching their breaking points with the immigrant 'problem' although you ususally hear of shootings closer to the border where the tresspassing problems are worse (you look out your window and find people washing in your pool, etc). Had a neighbor growing up in Pinal county with a sign in his yard that read "No Tresspassing. Violators will be shot. Survivors will be prosecuted." While it does not justify murder the 'get the hell off my land' sentiment is nearly universal in that area.

[toddst]

Especially if it were well publicised south of the border.

I don't believe shooting at illegals is a solution to anything (assuming I'm not being attacked by one.) However, that said it certainly can be honestly posted on signs along the border - "Caution, enter at your own risk."

I do believe ranchers (and others) with property along the border are tired of being invaded. I really can't blame them.

[Marine Inspector]

PONG

It was just a matter of time before this happened.

[alaskanfan]

I don't believe shooting at illegals is a solution to anything

I'm not advocating shooting anyone, I'm merely saying that you need to say that illegals are being shot at an alarming rate. It would at least slow down the timid ones.

[boris]

"Holy cow! I favor immigration reform, including the jailing and deportation of illegals, and stiff fines for their employers, but shooting them goes a bit too far (although there's nothing wrong with a good caning). But what's the deal with this guy? Was he just some nut who flipped out, or (possible, but less likely) was this drug-related?"

If they were shot by U.S. soldiers defending the border would you complain? Does it matter to you that U.S. Border Patrol agents have been fired upon?

Suppose they were tresspassing on his property and ignored orders to leave?

Eventually it will come to something like this--so long as our rulers refuse to protect our borders.

--Boris

[Lightnin]

"Was he just some nut who flipped out, or (possible, but less likely) was this drug-related?"

Nah, it was Pat Buchanan!

[Reo]

"Was he just some nut who flipped out, ...... Nah, it was Pat Buchanan!"

There's a difference????

[cynicom]

The threshold for enough is enough, is lower in some people.

[yarddog]

I recall a few years ago some TV program showed a large number of bodies on the border of South Africa and either Angola or perhaps Mozambique.

This was in the days of Apartheid and it is amazing how many illegal were trying to get into that horrible (sarcasm) country.

BTW these were not being killed by South Africa but by their home country. The bodies were simply left to rot. I don't recall any criticism of these countries brutality by any country including the U.S.

Of course if South Africa had shot even one there would have been world wide outrage.

[4Freedom]

"Was he just some nut that flipped out,...?"

Could be this batch of illegals was being punished for not using a 'Coyote' or paying the 'mordida' to cross the border.

I find it hard to believe that any American that speaks English and that's been following the D.C. snipers for the past two weeks would have been stupid enough to leave brass behind.

[HiJinx]

Your explanation is probably closest to the truth, I'd take the odds!

Even though many of the landowners in our area have reached the breaking point, they aren't going to shoot indiscriminately at illegals. On the other hand, smugglers are already breaking the law, what's to stop them from sending a message to other crossers?