Illegal immigrant arrested after shooting at San Tan Valley farmer


by Jennifer Thomas

Ryan O'Donnell

Posted on May 5, 2011 at 11:50 AM

Updated today at 5:52 PM



SAN TAN VALLEY, Ariz. -- Pinal County sheriff's deputies arrested a 27-year-old illegal immigrant after a shooting at a farm in San Tan Valley.

According to the sheriff's office, Victor Colozo, of Mexico, approached a farmer and two co-workers as they were seated outside of a trailer near Kenworthy and Combs roads Monday afternoon.

Colozo asked the farmer where his girlfriend was and the farmer told him there weren't any females anywhere on the property.

According to Chief Deputy Steve Henry, Colozo didn't believe him and lifted his shirt to reveal a handgun.

Colozo was told to leave and he walked away. The farmer retrieved a shotgun and followed Colozo in his pickup truck to make sure he was leaving the property.

The farmer saw Colozo in a field approximately 100 yards away. Henry said Colozo turned around and fired his pistol.

"The farmer was in fear of his life and shot back," Henry said.

Colozo reportedly fired a second shot at the victim and continued to run. The farmer then called the sheriff's office.

Using binoculars, deputies spotted Colozo hiding in the field and took him into custody.

No one was injured in the incident, which Henry said happened across the street from a junior high school.

"This case represents another example of the dangers citizens are faced with as a result of an unsecured border," Sheriff Paul Babeu said. "The citizens of Pinal County and the rest of America deserve to live their lives without the threats presented by those who have illegally entered the United States."

Colozo was armed with a 9mm Helwan semiautomatic handgun and had two Social Security cards and a counterfeit Permanent Resident Alien card.

Colozo refused to answer questions regarding the incident. He was booked into the Pinal County Adult Detention Center for one count each of aggravated assault, misconduct involving weapons, trespassing, and threatening and intimidating.

www.azfamily.com