A twice-deported illegal immigrant from Mexico faces federal firearms charges after allegedly firing off an AR-style rifle more than 30 times in his Texas neighborhood.
Juan Ayala-Montero, a 60-year-old Mexican national, was arrested following the shooting rampage on May 23 in New Caney, Texas, that injured one person.
Ayala-Montero illegally reentered the country for a third time on an unknown date. It’s unclear how much time he spent in jail for his previous convictions, but he wasn’t picked up by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for nearly 20 years—until his latest arrest in May.
He was initially charged with felony deadly conduct-discharging a firearm and lodged at Montgomery County Jail with a bond set at $80,000, according to the Montgomery County’s Sheriff’s Office.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas also stepped in and filed federal charges against him for being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm.
Ayala-Montero has a lengthy criminal history, including convictions for attempted homicide and criminal trespass while living in the country illegally. He is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition per federal law due to his criminal history and previous deportations, said Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck.
Through a partnership with ICE, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office’s lodged an immigration detainer against Ayala-Montero and contacted federal authorities.
Ayala-Montero is accused of firing an AR-style rifle at multiple people over the holiday weekend. Investigators recovered an Olympic Arms .223 AR-style rifle with a scope in Ayala-Montero’s bedroom as well as approximately 30 spent .223 casings at the scene.
According to the federal criminal complaint, Ayala-Montero reportedly got into an argument with a group people and started making verbal threats. He went into his house, came back out with a rifle and initially began shooting at the ground, authorities said.
He then pointed the gun at a group of individuals and began firing multiple times, discharging numerous rounds in various directions. One victim was struck in the torso and the head.
The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office responded to reports of an “active shooter” incident around 4:20 p.m. Saturday, May 23.
The suspect, later identified as an Ayala-Montero, was armed with a long gun and actively firing rounds at multiple people in the neighborhood, MCSO said in a news release.
The man reportedly fired multiple rounds toward homes and residents despite witnesses trying to get him to drop the gun. The sheriff’s office also shared video of Ayala-Montero pointing his firearm at someone before shooting at them.
When police arrived, the suspect retreated into his home and barricaded himself inside. The MCSO SWAT team arrived on scene and took Ayala-Montero into custody, the sheriff’s office said.
Authorities said the shooting stemmed from an altercation between Ayala-Montero and a 17-year-old. The teenager was shot and later charged with making a false report to a peace officer, FOX 26 Houston reported.
ICE officials credited Montgomery County’s participation in ICE’s 287(g) program with his quick apprehension and alerting ICE, so he remains in custody even if he’s granted bond.
ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Houston acting Field Office Director Gabriel Martinez said it’s another example of how local law enforcement cooperation with federal agencies increases public safety.
“By participating in the program, it provides our state and local law enforcement partners with another tool to prevent dangerous criminal illegal aliens like Ayala from being released back into the community where they will likely reoffend,” Martinez said.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said his criminal history includes convictions for attempted homicide, assault, driving under the influence of liquor, and trespassing, and an arrest for aggravated assault with a gun.
DHS officials said Ayala-Montero first illegally entered the United States in Arizona in 1983 and illegally re-entered the country at least two more times.
“Because Texas cooperates with ICE, we will work with our partners to ensure that this illegal alien will never again roam our streets,” said DHS Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis.
According to ICE, Ayala-Montero was removed for the first time on Aug. 30, 2000. He illegally reentered the country at an unknown date and time.
He ended up in ICE custody again on Jan. 4, 2006, when he was arrested by the Dallas Police Department for a local disturbance. He was deported to Mexico that same day, ICE officials said.
DHS said he illegally re-entered the country — a felony — in 2007, but he wasn’t caught again until his most recent arrest.
If convicted on the federal charge, Ayala-Montero faces up to 15 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
