Illegal immigrant with prior deportation shoots deputy in chest, dies after exchange: DHS

FIRST ON FOX: A antheral accused of shooting a South Carolina lawman successful the thorax during an early-morning postulation halt has been identified arsenic a transgression amerciable migrant with a anterior deportation and felony amerciable re-entry conviction, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). 

DHS officials told Fox News Digital that Charleston County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) deputies responded to a telephone for shots fired soon aft 9 p.m. on Feb. 10 on Johns Island.

They were incapable to find the suspect, later identified as Floriberto Perez-Nieto, a transgression amerciable migrant from Mexico.

At astir 3 a.m. the adjacent day, deputies received different telephone from the aforesaid person, who reported Perez-Nieto had returned to the area.

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Floriberto Perez-Nieto was killed aft allegedly shooting a South Carolina Deputy. (U.S. Department of Homeland Security)

Deputies spotted Perez-Nieto's car and attempted to pull him over, but helium tried to evade apprehension and changeable 1 of the deputies successful the chest, according to authorities. 

Other deputies returned occurrence and Perez-Nieto was aboriginal pronounced dormant astatine the hospital. 

DHS officials said the lawman who was changeable successful the thorax was wearing assemblage armor.

Charleston County Sheriff Carl Ritchie speaks during a quality conference. (Charleston County Sheriff's Office via X)

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"This transgression amerciable alien illegally obtained a firearm and nearly killed a instrumentality enforcement officer," DHS adjunct caput Tricia McLaughlin told Fox News Digital. "Thankfully, the officer’s assemblage armor saved his life. There could person been rather a antithetic tragic result for this serviceman and his family."

The lawman who was changeable has not yet been publically identified by authorities.

Perez-Nieto was antecedently arrested aft he illegally entered the U.S. from Mexico, at an unknown date and location, and without inspection by an migration official, according to DHS.

It is unclear erstwhile Floriberto Perez-Nieto illegally crossed the U.S. border. (Christian Torres/Anadolu via Getty Images)

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He was subsequently removed from the U.S. on Feb. 20, 2019. 

Officials said helium committed a felony by illegally re-entering the state astatine an chartless day and time.

It is unclear wherever Perez-Nieto allegedly obtained the firearm.

The CCSO nonrecreational standards part volition behaviour an interior probe related to the shooting.

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Deputies progressive person been placed connected paid administrative leave, pending further review, according to a quality merchandise from the sheriff's office.

The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division was instantly notified, responded to the country and volition pb the investigation.