San Antonio:Pregnant rancher kills illegal immigrant intruder

Josey1

Pregnant rancher kills illegal immigrant intruder Associated Press SAN ANTONIO -- An undocumented immigrant looking for something to eat in a stranger's kitchen was shot and killed by a pregnant woman in her Edwards County ranch home, border officials said. Police believe Gonzalo Lopez Castaneda, 32, and two other immigrants, were looking for food in the woman's kitchen Tuesday when he was shot once in the chest with a hunting rifle. Lopez had worked on an area ranch and was returning there after going to Mexico for Christmas, Edwards County Sheriff Don Letsinger said. The ranch where he was killed is about 50 miles from the Texas-Mexico border. The case will be turned over to the district attorney. The sheriff and Mexican consular officials said the woman woke from a nap to find two men trying to cut through a window screen and a third, Lopez, standing in her kitchen after apparently kicking in the back door. San Antonio Attorney J.A. Garcia, who represents the Mexican Consulate, said the two other immigrants told him they overhead Lopez and the woman seconds before the shooting. "They could hear Lopez telling the woman they were hungry as she became hysterical," Garcia told the San Antonio Express-News for today's editions. "They heard the lone shot and both ran. "It is an unfortunate incident where another undocumented alien is looking for food and made the mistake of actually breaking into a home." The two other men were being held as material witnesses in Edwards County Jail. The shooting, which happened about 80 miles northeast of Del Rio, near Rocksprings, marks the latest casualty in the region plagued by violence involving immigrants and Texans trying to protect their property. "We are aware there is tension out there," said Dennis Smith, a spokesman for the Border Patrol's Del Rio Sector. "We tell (property owners) not to take the law into their own hands." At least eight times in the past three years, area residents have shot immigrants. Two have died. http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/story.hts/metropolitan/1216997

competentone

You've got to be kidding?!?This attorney, J. A. Garcia, commenting, "It is an unfortunate incident where another undocumented alien is looking for food and made the mistake of actually breaking into a home."Breaking into a home is "a mistake"?And this Garcia's comment that the woman (the victim!) became "hysterical"?!?Somebody needs to "rearrange" the attitude of this moron Garcia. Can you imagine how traumatic it must have been for this women, the victim, to have to go through the ordeal with these intruders? And this Garcia is trying to make it sound like the intruders are the victims....grrrrr.

@anubis@

Yep, bet they don't break into a pregnant lady's house again, what with the hormones raging and all. The lady did what she had to do in my opinion. Probably not getting the whole truth either, who knows what they said to her. Dude got shot in the chest so he was facing her. Seems if she didn't perceive him as a threat she either would've held him at gunpoint awaiting for the police or had them leave, but, she fired...why? I wouldn't put much meat in what the other two illegals said happened, I mean they only broke into someone's house! I just hope the lady doesn't have a miscarriage due to the stress and trauma of the whole thing, especially how she's likely to be treated with the bleeding hearts making her out to be the badguy and all. Breaking and entering is still illegal even for illegal aliens...isn't it?!!!!!I assume "undocumented" is a dressed up word for "illegal"???????[This message has been edited by @anubis@ (edited 01-19-2002).]

COWBOYKIDD

The only mistake I see that she made was that she didnt shoot the other 2 breaking in.

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Politicians Love Gun Control / China Has Gun Control

instrumentofwar

i bet we would be hearing one helluva different story if all three got into the house and she was unarmed. heres the law, you put one foot into my house and the only thing i wait for, is to make sure your * is far enough inside so that your limp body doesn't go flying out the door when i dump a load of #4 buck into your face. hysterical, my *!

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Rule #1: there is no easy wayRule #2: if,in fact, there is an easy way, it's mined (especially in Afghanistan or Kosovo!)

ifishbaja

You guys just don't understand. You have no compassion. You don't understand the desperate of mind some of these poor souls have gotten in. In my state, they have put up "Aid Stations" complete with fresh potable water and some type of rations and they are equipped with radios so the unfortunate that have entered our country illegally can get help when they find the journey thruogh the desert to difficult.

Lowrider

You guys need to get with the "newspeak" program. These people are no longer "illegal" aliens, they are "un-documented" immigrants. You know, they just forgot to get their papers in order.Does it surprise anyone that the D.A. who is downplaying the actions of the "un-documented" immigrants is named G-A-R-C-I-A?

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Lord Lowrider the LoquaciousMember:Secret Select Society of Suave Stylish Smoking Jackets She was only a fisherman's daughter,But when she saw my rod she reeled.

Bullzeye

I've got mixed feelings on the whole illegal immigrant thing.I dont discount the woman's right to shoot the guy. She had every damn right in the world to.But I've gotta tell ya, I dont envy the position of the wetbacks either.They dont leave Mexico for no reason, guys. It's not like they up and decided to walk through the desert for three days just for the hell of it.And I bet that guy probably was hungry. When you cant get a job (not even at minimum wage) because your illegal and cant speak English, you DO tend to get hungry.Of course, breaking into some poor lady's house wasnt right. But if he had gone to a homeless shelter he probably would have been caught and sent back to Mexico.Bottom Line: I dont believe it's right to illegally enter the US.But it sucks that we've got to send so many people packing who might have eventually become upstanding citizens with good jobs.We ought to increase our level of immigrant acceptance, but at the same time make sure they pass minimum standards to become citizens before they even hit US soil.I know too many resident aliens who cant speak a word of English (nor try to), and have no interest in ever becoming a citizen.Not right. You should be a citizen who can speak the language, name the presidents and the states, and understand US laws, currency, and customs before you ever touch US soil. None of this resident alien crap. It's self defeating.

blaze

Bullz in my area, I see lots of folks who cant speak English yet they have jobs, getting paid under the table, just last week there was aguy who had a pile of dirt cave in on him, was his 1st & last day in this country or this world, come to find out he was here illegal now the construction company who employed him seems to be in some trouble, hope they are punished severly, thats what they get for hiring illegals. & no we dont need to make any of them citizens.

badboybob

I'll say it once again Bullzeye - You have your head screwed on right. I hope there are 10,000,000 more like you in this country.

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PC=BS

TrinityScrimshaw

I smell a "no bill" coming from the grand jury.Trinity+++

idsman75

Bullzeye--You're a great fella but I take issue with your opinion on being more acceptant of the border crossers. President Bush recently attempted to legitimize all illegal immigrants by granting them amnesty. These are people that are here for two reasons--money and a little more freedom. However, if you live in an agriculturally-based region that employs large numbers of Mexicans, you will see them lining up at Western Union on payday to send unbelievable amounts of money back across the border. They are acting in the interests of Mexico and Mexicans. If they are granted instant amnesty, they will VOTE in the interests of Mexico---not America! Just imagine what would happen to our gun rights with millions more voting for the Democrats. They aren't stupid. Bush won't suddenly get all their votes just because he granted them amnesty and is buddy-buddy with the president of mexico. They will vote for the guy that is going to give them the biggest handout. Can we say "Democrat"?

luger01

Bullzeye & badboybob,My money says that neither of you live in an area that's overrun with illegals. You haven't experienced first-hand, the crime and the attitudes of these criminals (if they broke the law, then by definition they are criminals!). You haven't seen the deaths listed from them driving illegally and recklessly, the murders, the results from their drug trade, etc.You sure as heck haven't lived on a ranch, miles from the next home and had them break into your home, and you aren't women, who have historically been raped by gangs of men. You don't have this knowledge or know the fear that this woman most likely felt.Pity and empathy for the less fortunate is nobel, but if you are really honest about your feelings, don't just say "oh poor unfortunates were just seeking a better life here", sponser a few of these 'unfortunates'. Let them live in your home and give them work. Just try that for a month and then post back here that this country should let 'em all in.Sorry for using both barrels here, but I really don't believe you know what the real situation is.

Lowrider

No way in hell should we increase the numbers of immigrants allowed. We should drastically DECREASE the number. This country is already overpopulated. The social welfare programs are bankrupting us. Should we just let the place continue to fill up until it looks like Calcutta or Hong Kong?This is our lifeboat. Sure, there are still people thrashing in the water but the boat only holds so many. Are you going to keep pulling people out of the water until they sink the boat? Pretty soon you just gotta row away and save yourself.

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Lord Lowrider the LoquaciousMember:Secret Select Society of Suave Stylish Smoking Jackets She was only a fisherman's daughter,But when she saw my rod she reeled.

badboybob

Luger01 there are quite a few hispanics in my area. They are looking for work, are willing to work, unlike other minorities who parasitize us. They came to our country looking for a better life, and they do work that most Americans will not do. The next time you buy produce in the supermarket you can thank a Hispanic for harvesting it for you. The residents of your rent free slums won't do the work because it's beneath their dignity.As for me I'll take the Hispanics. I know they're working for a better life. You can have our resident parasites.

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PC=BS

pikeal1

I live in Miami, and have lived here all my life. My parents came from Cuba about 40 years ago. The ones that came back then seemed to be harder workers than the ones that are coming now. Unfortunately, the mindset now is that they can come to our country, sit around and collect government money, because in essence thats what they did over there...only difference, here they can * about not getting enough, without going to jail. Unfortunately, that is the mindset of almost all of the ones that come from that island.as far as the Mexicans, and other South Americans, they come here, and if they manage to get a job, whatever they don't spend on food/rent/extreme necessities goes right back to Mexico. very little of that money is being used here. They take jobs that were meant for americans, and they cost americans jobs because money that is supposed to be used in this country is being shipped out to help their family.Although it is a very noble thing to do, and I have heard stories of one man coming to The States and supporting his family in another country, I personally think its a crock. Where there is a will there is a way...that holds true here, and everywhere.

Rotten Bastard

And speaking of Miami, How many of the one million plus "political refugees and families" will be moving back to Cuba once Fidel is gone?In the late 60's and early 70's it was bad, the 80's brought us the Marielitios, and that was a nightmare...When Castro flushed his prison system and the sewage washed up in the Keys and South Florida it caused a social, economical, political and ecological disaster.Hundreds of unemployed refegees, running loose (until the Card Sound Roadblock started catching *some* of them), dumped into the Miami-Dade area, skewing the political base and blowing the crime rate sky high. And... (the thing that really lights me up...) every weekend hundreds of the motherbuckets head for the Keys and camp out on the side of the road and fish off the bridges, or bring their boats and hit the reefs, never spend a dime in the local economy, and strip the waters of everything that swims. (And I mean everything- and if it can't be eaten, it is left to rot.)And... I'm not even going to go into the ones that found narcotics and smuggling a more lucrative endeavor...I wish the INS could keep track of the &^%$#$@#ers as well as the ATF does with gun owners, so when the political climate improves, these refugees could be encouraged to return to their homes... Hell... Western Union could probably do a better job... A ridiculous amount of money is sent to Cuba every week... They sure aren't spending it here.Will the last American leaving Miami-Dade please turn off the lights and bring the flag?Rotten *

RugerNiner

I came to Jacksonville,FL. to do drywall work because of all the building going on here.I've gone on job sites where there are anywhere from 10 to 30 Mexicans doing drywall that can't speak a word of English. Doing the job I do for half the money.Only one mexican will have paper work, collects a large check and pays the others cash. The Contractors only care about the bottom line....Saving Money

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Remember...Terrorist are attacking Civilians; Not the Government.Protect Yourself!

Bullzeye

Let me explain.I'm not supporting them straight up. I think giving the untold thousands of illegals amnesty is a piss-poor idea.What we should do is throw out every illegal we find, and then go out of our way to allow hard working, honest Mexicans (or Cubans, or whatever) to apply for citizenship.When they take the tests, and pass them, and sign a "stable job and living space within 6 months or back you go" contract, THEN we'll be happy to have them.If they wander over with no papers, no money, and no idea how to speak English, then they're no good to anybody.

pikeal1

I am not saying that they are all bad (cubans in Miami), but the majority of the ones coming now, are garbage. Its too late to change their ideals, so they come here with the mindset that they can do nothing, not work, and still collect a check. My parents are citizens of the US and have been for over 30 years. I was speaking with my mom a few weeks ago and she said that she considers herself more american than Cuban. She has spent the majority of her life here.I would say that the people that came here from Cuba, say 35 years ago, were a hard working people fleeing the fresh new government in Cuba...the quality of the people since then has been very rapidly deteriorating...with a very few exceptions.dont be so quick to judge them as a whole...there are a few that are worth keeping.

Rotten Bastard

Pikeal1-My point still stands-They came as political refugees, once Castro goes, how many will go back to Cuba?That's the problem with INS policy-If you're a refugee, you have to go home whan the problem is resolved.If you are an immigrant, more stringent rules apply.(Try to get a work visa in Australia and you'll see what I mean about "stringent".)RB[This message has been edited by Rotten * (edited 01-21-2002).]

pikeal1

Well, I can see your point, and I am as outraged as you at the fact that people abuse the United States. I do not however, think that my mom and dad, for instance, should be required to go back when castro finally croaks. They have both lived here for the majority of their lives, and have paid taxes, and worked in this country for over 35 years. They have no plans to go back, and the only thing they send is medicine to a family member in dire need. I know that they make up only a very small minority of the people that came over, but my point is, although that the majority of them are not helping out the states, there are a few that actually do contribute. aside from that, I agree whole heartedly with your opinion.Alex

luger01

badboybob-Perhaps I misunderstood your first comment, because I totally agree with your last statement that those who come into the U.S. legally deserve the best from this country.What I have seen is that a significant number of perps are illegal immigrants. Mexicans who come here and start or continue their criminal ways. These kinds of people cannot enter the U.S. legally (is the system worked at all), so they come in illegally. I have no problem with anyone who applys for entry, comes to the U.S., finds work and obeys the laws. Those are the same type of people who made this coutry great.However, any sympathy for people who brake the laws is misplaced. The immigration system does need a complete rebuild with sane laws and equity for all. Quotas must be maintained because this country cannot end up with 90% of the world's population here - there isn't sufficient room or resources. Those who want to live in the U.S. need to band togather and remake their countries (with our help). Those who enter the country illegally are breaking the law and a significant proportion of those are here to create mischief. Sympathy for criminals is misplaced.

turbo

"Welcome to Amexica" This is the new name of America, according to the Times "special Issue" dtd June 11,2001.The border is vanishing before our very eyes, creating a new world for all of us...and, so goes the article.One reason this is becoming a reality is because of our previous generation of patriotic citizens who have lost touch with reality, and are not aware that the party they support has become the so called party of the special interest, they continue to support this party that they were born into, not realizing it no longer is the "party of the working people".I dare say that one reason for complacency is that they are retired, and are themselves on social security, medicare and medicaid, which would make them beholding to the party as it, continues to deride the Republicans for trying to bring both sytems into accountability.Illegals, can and do recieve social security, and medical assitance, and of course if they can be made to become legal they would foreever be backers of the party. In fact this party is the new "socialist party" , they have been taken over by all those from the far left, who are pushing dissent and dissatisfaction among those that consider themselves to be disenfranchised victims, of discrimination, sexual prefernece, the right to choose, unable or unwilling to apply for imigration legally it is easy to see how these individuals gladly follow the pied pipers and if allowed would vote to support the causes of the Democratic party, supported and led by the teachers unions.On this thread it says that, "this two individuals are being held as material witnesses".Instead of being held as "accomplises" to this crime of break in.As long as well intentioned people continue to ignore what is happening in America, and support the Democratic Party, what is reported and printed in the Times will hasten the day when this new name , will become a reality for the country.Afterall they've already begun to take out of the schools all of the other historical keepsakes which have reminded all, of the historical account of the birth if this nation.In the southwest soon, we will see the heroes of mexico being given Federal Holiday status, just like some of the holidays been observed now. [This message has been edited by turbo (edited 01-21-2002).]

218Beekeep

Hope everybody injoyed their General Robert E. Lee Day..218

Rotten Bastard

Pikeal1-It truly is a quandry.I know a huge number of Cuban Americans- You can't live in Florida or the Keys without doing so. 80% of those are fine, upstanding,generous people. HOWEVER- that other 15%... (That's fifteen percent of the CAs I know, actual percentage may differ) are individuals that would look better as the centerpiece of a funeral. If you can imagine a crime to be comitted in Florida, including the big ones- these guys are in it.And yes... they are all of the 80's variety of transportees.Here's another one for you-Peruse the Keynoter or the Key West Citizen, look at the police reports.From spring to late fall the reports are 80% CA's from Miami/Dade/Broward...Joe Smith of Key Largo arrested for a domestic disturbance.Enrique Garbanzo of Miami arrested for possession of 200 undersized lobster.Jose Garcia-Snachez of Hallandale arrested for possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute.Manuel Lopez -no address given- arrested for Grand theft, possession, and firearms violations....and the hits just keep on coming.Pikeal1: I'm not prejudiced- I'm not a bigot. I just detest what governmental policies (American, Cuban, State and County) have done to the area where I grew up.Policies- not people.Wanna really get me heated up?Let's talk about the Florida Keys Marine Sanctuary and how they and the commercial fishermen of Monore County have squeezed every bit of enjoyment out of spearfishing and lobstering in the Keys.Rotten *(bonecrusher@scientist.com)

pikeal1

Unfortunately, I don't have a boat, but I go down to the keys just about every other month, and I love to fish. Not having a boat, means either chartering one (too much for me...rather buy something) or bridge and pier fishing. every single time i go, I get into a fight with someone * throwing six inch snappers into his bucket. I know how you feel, and I know that the keys were one of the last places where the hispanics managed to invade, and I love going down there, but there are less and less places to escape. I agree that this country needs to put in a more strict policy, and severely restrict the people that come in and stay in.Alex

turbo

Wheew Robas,I finally figured it out but, for a second I thought you were talkin about Californians.CA= California, how about qbns.

Rotten Bastard

Sorry TurboI don't even *think* about the left coast of the US... Although in retrospect, they're probably as bad for different reasons about this kind of stuff.Rotten *