Mexican Teenager Illegally in US Charged as Adult for Attempted Murder of State Trooper

Luis German Espinoza Acuna, left, the suspect in the Sept. 17, 2020, ambush shooting of an Arizona detective in Phoenix, and the AK-47 pistol that Acuna allegedly used. (Arizona Department of Public Safety)

A Mexican illegal immigrant charged as an adult for the attempted murder of a state trooper in Arizona.

Luis German Espinoza Acuna, 17, is facing three charges: attempted first degree murder of a peace officer, aggravated assault upon a peace officer, and possession of drugs for sale, a Pinal County Attorney’s Office spokesman confirmed to The Epoch Times.

“An Aggravated Assault under A.R.S. 13-1204(A)(2) involving the use of a deadly weapon, i.e. a firearm, is defined as ‘violent felony offense’ under A.R.S. 13-501(A)(5). See 13-501(H)(4)(b). The juvenile is fifteen or over. Thus, under 13-501(A), the ‘county attorney shall bring a criminal prosecution against a juvenile in the same manner as an adult,’” the spokesman said in an email.

Acuna ambushed the trooper, who was clearly dressed as a law enforcement officer, on Sept. 17 in Phoenix, officials said.

After Acuna opened fire, he was left behind by the driver of a silver Infiniti sedan, the Arizona Department of Public Safety said. The detective who was fired upon and another nearby worked together to apprehend the illegal alien.

Neither the shooter nor the officer were injured.

A driver pulled up a silver vehicle to an unmarked car with a uniformed police officer sitting inside in an ambush attack, authorities said, in Phoenix, Ariz., Sept. 17, 2020. (Arizona Department of Public Safety)

Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) told news outlets in a statement that immigration officials lodged an immigration detainer on Acuna, an illegal immigrant from Mexico, following his arrest.

“ICE will seek to take Mr. Espinoza-Acuna into custody if and when he is released by local authorities in order to pursue appropriate administrative enforcement action,” the agency stated.

A detainer prevents the release of an illegal immigrant facing charges but released on bail by local officials.

Public Safety Director Heston Silbert told reporters at a briefing last week that the trooper was sitting inside a vehicle conducting surveillance when the suspect approached.

“Our trooper did not understand at that moment how much danger he was in,” Silber said.

“Within seconds, the suspect exited the passenger side of the vehicle with an AK 47 that you will see pictured here. The AK 47 is a short barreled weapon, or called an AK 47 assault pistol. Subject exited the vehicle, and he began to shoot at our trooper as he exited his vehicle. Our trooper was clearly visible in his vest that said ‘police.’ There was no question it was an ambush and he was identifiable as a police officer.”

Two bullets struck the trooper’s vehicle but by then the trooper had exited the vehicle and returned fire.

Detectives are still seeking help from the public in identifying the man who drove the sedan and sped away, leaving Acuna behind.

Surveillance footage showed a lanky male wearing a grey shirt and jeans, with a baseball cap, later exiting what officials believe is the same vehicle.

The vehicle has an unknown permanent license plate, officials said.

Anyone with information was asked to contact 911.