Washington State Deputy Was Murdered by an Undocumented Immigrant

A sheriff's deputy was the victim of a shootout that took place near Kittitas County. The killer's status as an undocumented immigrant has raised outrage among many right-leaning citizens.

On Tuesday evening, officers responded to a complaint made about a driver who authorities say was producing a "road-rage type event" on the street. They began to pursue Juan Manuel Flores Del Toro's vehicle.

Toro eventually stopped near a trailer park close to Kittitas. He exited his vehicle and shot at the police officers with a handgun. Police are still unable to explain why Toro fled as there were no warrants against him.

The 29-year-old shot at and killed deputy Ryan Thompson, 42 and injured Benito Chavez, 22, with a bullet to the leg. The latter was taken to the hospital and is in stable condition.

The Ellensburg Police Department Captain Dan Hansberry said of Toro that they have "had limited contacts with him" in the past that were "nothing of real significance."

Toro entered the country at Laredo, Texas in 2014 on a temporary work visa for employment in agriculture. After his visa expired, however, it wasn't extended, making it illegal for him to remain in the country.

Officials are still investigating what led to the deadly gunbattle that resulted in death. The Kittitas police department is now mourning the loss of their colleague who died in the line of duty.

Thompson left behind a wife and three children. His death is the first among law enforcement officers in Kittitas since 1927. He was later honored at a news conference given by Sheriff Gene Dana on Wednesday.

He said:

"Our community has a very heavy heart today. Last night, we lost one of our finest."

Members of the 1,500 strong community also gathered at the Kittitas Elementary School to remember the fallen 15-year vet. Toro was also killed in the shootout.

Another illegal immigrant was convicted of murder in November 2018. Luis Rodrigo Perez was released from the custody of the Middlesex County Jail in February last year.

The 23-year-old had gone to jail for domestic violence. In November, he fatally shot two men and wounded two others. He again killed a woman two days later.

The crimes by the illegal or undocumented immigrants caused those who support the border wall to point fingers at liberals who are against the idea.

Border wall supporters insist that these killings could be avoided by going ahead and increasing border security rather than taking a less heavy-handed stance as liberals seem to want to do.

President Donald Trump is still hoping to use his head of state position to get the wall built, fulfilling his 2016 presidential campaign promise. In the meantime, our hearts go out to the family of the fallen.