Illegal Alien Indicted After Allegedly Shooting Dallas School Officer in Femoral Artery

Clear Facts

• Jose Santiago Pantoja-Morales, a 27-year-old Mexican national, was indicted on a federal firearms charge after allegedly shooting a Dallas school police officer.
• The officer had stopped to help the man near the Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway on August 6 when the suspect allegedly grabbed the officer’s gun and fired once.
• Pantoja-Morales is in the United States illegally and faces up to 15 years in federal prison if convicted.

The Dallas Independent School District officer was on routine patrol when a co-worker flagged him down for assistance.

The officer offered the man a ride to a safe location, but Pantoja-Morales allegedly began rummaging through the officer’s bag during the ride.

“The illegal alien’s alleged actions in this case represent an attack on the rule of law and a direct threat to public safety,” U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould said in a news release.

The officer pulled over and attempted to remove the man from the vehicle, but Pantoja-Morales resisted and a physical struggle ensued.

During the struggle, the suspect allegedly seized the officer’s firearm and fired a single shot, striking the officer in the right femoral artery.

“Every day, we ask the men and women who wear the badge to stand between good and evil. It is my duty — and the duty of this office — to do all we can to protect those who protect us,” Raybould continued.

Despite his wound, the officer regained control of his weapon and the suspect fled the scene before being quickly apprehended by law enforcement.

A second DISD officer provided immediate medical treatment at the scene before the wounded officer was transported to Parkland Hospital.

“Violence against an officer will not be tolerated, and we will pursue this prosecution with the utmost rigor to ensure full accountability,” Raybould stated.

A federal grand jury returned an indictment on September 16 charging Pantoja-Morales with possession of a firearm by an illegal alien.

The case was investigated by the ATF Dallas Field Office and Dallas Police Department.

Pantoja-Morales remains in custody awaiting transfer to federal authorities under a writ of habeas corpus.

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