Officer shot by illegal immigrant renews concerns
Reported by: Christopher Sign
Email: csign@abc15.com
Last Update: 10/15 11:55 pm
http://www.abc15.com

A Phoenix Police officer shot during a traffic stop is out of the hospital after his bullet proof vest stopped the projectile.

Phoenix Detective Bob Ragsdale says the unidentified rookie officer is expected to make a full recovery after being shot Sunday afternoon in North Phoenix.

Investigators say the shooter, Jose Abel Cabrera, arrested late Sunday night, is an undocumented immigrant. Ragsdale says Cabrera was caught in the United States in 2001 and voluntarily returned to Mexico.

The shooting is the third serious incident involving illegal immigrants and Phoenix Police in five months.

In April, an undocumented immigrant allegedly tried to run over an officer. The officer fired shots at the driver forcing him to crash.

In September, decorated officer Nick Erfle was shot and killed by an illegal immigrant who was stopped for jaywalking.

'Immigrants Without Borders' spokesperson Elias Bermudez said those involved in the incidents are criminals who could strike in any community.

"This angers me because there are 99.9% people that are law abiding, otherwise being illegal, but unfortunately one percent comes in and destroys the credibility of 99% of the hard working people," Bermudez said.

Bermudez expressed concern the incidents may create a hostile situation for undocumented immigrants and plans to use his radio show to educate them how to report criminal activity.

Bermudez said he hopes those involved in serious crimes will be prosecuted, "We wish that our people would continue not to be afraid of the police and report those criminals amongst our community and truly get them out of our mess cause they're hurting our cause."