A rancher defending his family and property shot and killed an illegal Mexican immigrant who was only a mile and a half from the border.
On January 30, George Alan Kelly, 73, was arrested and charged with fatally shooting Gabriel Cuen-Butimea, 48, while trespassing on Kelly’s ranch in Kino Springs, Arizona.
Kelly is being held on $1 million bail at the Santa Cruz County Jail.
Cuen-Butimea, a felon, has a long history of illegally entering the United States and has been deported back to Mexico several times at the expense of American taxpayers.
Kelly had called Border Patrol to report that he thought he was being shot at.
Mexican migrant shot dead by Arizona rancher George Alan Kelly is pictured https://t.co/8SiRqBkcsI
— Daily Mail US (@DailyMail) February 7, 2023
As a result, Border Patrol contacted local authorities to report a possible active shooter situation.
Cuen-Butimea was discovered dead from a single gunshot wound upon arrival.
His body was discovered only 100 yards from Kelly’s house, which he shares with his wife.
Officials say they are still looking for a motive.
Daily Mail reported Chief Deputy Gerardo Castillo saying:
‘It doesn’t seem like Mr. Kelly and the [victim] knew each other.’
Deadly force is allowed on one’s own property if the homeowner believes it ‘immediately necessary’ under Arizona state law.
Kelly’s neighbor, Maria Castillo, told the Daily Mail that migrants who crossed the border are frequently seen coming and going around the area.
Biden Declares War On America
Arizona rancher jailed on ONE MILLION DOLLAR bail after defending himself against illegal alien felon who had been deported 6 times https://t.co/kzaHz1rstP— Retro Coast (@RetroCoast) February 7, 2023
Kelly’s property also yielded two assault-style rifles to investigators.
Kelly pleaded for a bond reduction at his last bail hearing, with his elderly wife now alone and unarmed.
According to Nogalas International, Kelly stated:
“She’s there by herself… nobody to take care of her, the livestock or the ranch. And I’m not going anywhere. I can’t come up with a million dollars.”
Before asking the judge to ‘consider reducing it to any degree’.
https://twitter.com/nobody_Eastwood/status/1622936168462524417?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1622936168462524417%7Ctwgr%5E54dc0b6d1821865a81ee0d65b044a58ee434978b%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwelovetrump.com%2F2023%2F02%2F07%2Francher-73-charged-after-shooting-dead-illegal-mexican-trespasser%2F
Kelly could ask his court-appointed attorney to file a request, according to the judge.
It is currently unknown if that request was made.
Kelly’s next court appearance is scheduled for Wednesday.
As the border remains insecure, there has been a dramatic increase in theft, break-ins, and violence from migrants.