A Venezuelan migrant who shot a female police officer in Texas had been set to be deported back to his home country, it has been revealed.
Jorge Chacon-Gutierrez, 25, illegally crossed into Eagle Pass, Texas in November 2023 with nearly 600 other migrants.
At the time, border agents were processing him for ‘expedited removal,’ but he argued he feared persecution if he were to return to Venezuela – so he took his case to an asylum officer, an unidentified Homeland Security source told the New York Post.
The asylum officer rejected his claim and continued to process him for removal.
But Chacon-Gutierrez then asked to make his claim before an immigration judge, who quickly vacated his order of removal and let his case continue.
Jorge Chacon-Gutierrez, 25, has been identified by San Antonio TV station WOAI as the illegal immigrant who opened fire on three police officers Sunday morning
Chacon-Gutierrez had crossed into the US illegally at the Eagle Pass crossing in Texas (pictured) in November 2023
The Homeland Security source said the case highlights how the US immigration system has ‘so many loopholes,’ as police say Chacon-Gutierrez opened fire on three police officers who responded to a domestic violence call at an apartment in San Antonio.
Police said they responded to the apartment around 3 a.m. Sunday after shooter’s girlfriend had been assaulted by him, the police department said.
‘When officers went in to the apartment, (the shooter) was lying in bed with a rifle by his side, and he started shooting at the officer,’ Police Chief William McManus told reporters.
‘The officers returned fire. They exited the apartment.’
SWAT officers later made entry into the apartment and ‘saw the suspect was deceased,’ however McManus couldn’t say whether it was a self-inflicted wound or whether the shooter had been hit by police rounds.
Officers responded to a domestic violence call in San Antonio at around 3am Sunday
The wounded officer has not be identified by the department, but is expected to survive
Following Chacon-Gutierrez’s death, Texas Congressman Tony Gonzales said: ‘These are the consequences of failed catch & release policies’
The wounded officer has not be identified by the department, however, the chief added that she has been on the force for less than three years.
She underwent surgery on Sunday morning, and is expected to survive.
Police have not officially named the shooter, either.
Meanwhile US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) told DailyMail.com it is awaiting official confirmation of the shooter’s identity before it can release any details about how Chacon entered the country.
ICE is the federal agency responsible for tracking migrants in the US.
Police Chief William McManus confirmed the female officer shot had been hit several times and underwent surgery Sunday
An armed police officer stands guard after three cops were shot while responding to a domestic violence call in San Antonio Sunday morning
Chacon was released into the US after he was given a notice to appear before a federal judge in April 2026, according to Fox News.
Following Chacon-Gutierrez’s death, Texas Congressman Tony Gonzales said: ‘These are the consequences of failed catch & release policies.
‘I am thankful the injured SAPD officer is stable & I pray she makes a full recovery soon,’ he added.
