A new shooting in Arizona illustrates the increasingly violent atmosphere that Arizonans face in the wake of an increased flow of drug and human smuggling. Thankfully, the officer involved in the incident was not killed.
From the Arizona Republic:
Pinal County Sheriff’s deputy shot in desert confrontation
by Dennis Wagner and Craig Harris – Apr. 30, 2010 07:47 PM
The Arizona RepublicFive Hispanic men authorities described as drug smugglers shot a Pinal County Sheriff’s deputy Friday afternoon when the officer came upon them and a large amount of marijuana in a remote part of south-central Arizona.
The area where the shooting took place, near the intersection of Interstate 8 and Arizona 84, is considered a high-traffic drug- and human-smuggling corridor.
A massive hunt that included helicopters with night vision and more than 100 officers, including SWAT teams, and search dogs, were pursuing the shooters Friday evening. More than one helicopter came under fire as officers rescued Deputy Louie Puroll, who was shot with an AK-47-type weapon around 4 p.m., according to the sheriff’s office.
Puroll sustained a flesh wound above his kidney that tore off a chunk of skin, but he was in good condition late Friday at Casa Grande Regional Medical Center.
“Our thoughts & prayers go out to the Pinal County Deputy shot during a stop,” Gov. Jan Brewer sent out in a Twitter message on the Internet Friday evening. “Contrary to what some leaders say, our borders are not secure.”
The shooting occurred exactly one week after Brewer signed the toughest anti-immigration law in the country. The legislation has been hotly debated, and it has put Arizona in the national spotlight over how a border state deals with rampant illegal immigration. The legislation has sparked protests and calls to boycott the Grand Canyon state.
Pinal County Lt. Tami Villar said Friday’s incident “sends a very powerful and loud message that we have a problem.”
Essie
May 2, 2010 at 3:57 am
As a Southern Arizona businesswoman married to a hispanic, I call for Representative Rual Grijalva to RESIGN! It is absolutely unconscionable for a U.S. Congressman to call for civil disobedience and a boycott of the state he represents. He is not a part of our fine, proud hispanic culture in Arizona. He has aligned himself with the new lawless gangs and drug smugglers. Mr. Grijalva, do the right thing–RESIGN!
Pingback: Tweets that mention Arizona Deputy Shot by Drug Smugglers | -- Topsy.com