YCSO Arrests Illegal Immigrant Who Fired at Deputy

Updated: Monday, 07 Nov 2011, 3:52 PM MST
Published : Monday, 07 Nov 2011, 1:57 PM MST

CORDES LAKES, Ariz. - Yavapai County Sheriff's deputies were called to the 16000 block of South Apache Drive after a someone saw a suspicious man in their backyard pacing back and forth and demanding water Sunday morning.

When they arrived at the scene, they found 19-year-old Martin Rodriguez-Barrera. He ignored directions to approach them and began to run after dropping 2 grams of methamphetamine and $1,600 on the ground. Deputies pursued him and said a shot was fired in their direction by Rodriguez-Barrera.

Within 10 minutes, deputies heard more shots being fired and put nearby Spring Ridge Academy on lock down while they searched for the suspect.

By the afternoon, deputies saw Rodriguez-Barrera enter a shed behind a home in the 16000 block of Yavapai Road. A YCSO negotiator attempted to communicate with the suspect, but he didn't respond. Non-lethal gas was deployed into the shed, but still no response.

SWAT team members went inside and found him hiding in the shed's roof area. When he was arrested, deputies found a handgun in his possession.

While they searched the neighborhood, deputies found another handgun, along with cocaine in the path Rodriguez-Barrera had traveled.

Rodriguez-Barrera admitted to possessing both guns. He also arrived in the U.S. illegally from Mexico and was staying in the Phoenix area.

Deputies were able to find the round he fired, which struck a home's deck railing, hitting the front door's trim and ricocheted back across the porch where the bullet was recovered. A family of four was inside the house watching television, seated a few feet from where the bullet hit the door trim.

Sheriff Scott Mascher has directed investigators to determine if the recovered guns are connected to the Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms' Fast and Furious program.

Rodriguez-Barrera was booked into the Camp Verde Detention Center on numerous charges including assault on a law enforcement officer, discharge of a firearm at a residence, prohibited possession, possession of a deadly weapon, possession of drugs/paraphernalia and alter/remove physical evidence.

http://www.myfoxphoenix.com/dpp/news/cr ... y-11072011