Illegal Immigrant Arrested After Firing Shots During Black Lives Matter Protest: Authorities

Illegal Immigrant Arrested After Firing Shots During Black Lives Matter Protest: Authorities
People run from tear gas thrown by the police near the Colorado State Capitol during rioting in Denver, Colo., on May 30, 2020. (Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)
Zachary Stieber
8/25/2020
Updated:
8/25/2020

An illegal alien from Mexico was arrested after he opened fire during a Black Lives Matter demonstration in Denver, Colorado on May 30, authorities said.

Felix Missael Alva was charged with being an alien in possession of a firearm. He does not yet have a lawyer listed and no pictures of him were available.

According to a criminal complaint, a Denver police detective approached a white Jeep Grand Cherokee with a Hispanic male in the passenger seat.

The man told the detective, “This ain’t no peaceful protest, [expletive] twelve!” He then produced a large black handgun that he soon pointed upwards, where a Denver Police Department helicopter was flying.

Alva indicated that the gun was for “them” and began firing, according to the complaint.

The detective fled in fear of being shot and the driver of the Jeep sped away.

A witness called 911 to report the gunfire and later spoke to the detective. He saw the white Jeep speeding past his residence.

Traffic cameras captured the Jeep moving away from the scene and obtained a search warrant for the vehicle. Records from a previous arrest linked to the vehicle led police to Alva, who said his wife owned the vehicle. The detective who saw the shooting recognized Alva during the execution of a warrant on Alva’s home.

Police officers recovered a handgun that the detective said was the firearm he witnessed being used.

Alva told officers that he and his wife did attend a protest in Denver in the Jeep. He said he didn’t shoot or own a gun. He said they lit fireworks from the Jeep.

Law enforcement records showed Alva was previously deported from the United States in 2010.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement said Alva has not legally entered the country since then.

The case is part of Project Guardian, a Department of Justice effort to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearm laws.