Twice-deported illegal immigrant accused of firing toward Texas homes during neighborhood dispute

A man from Mexico, who has been deported twice and has a past conviction for attempted homicide, was apprehended in Texas during the Memorial Day weekend. The arrest took place following an incident where he allegedly fired numerous shots at his neighbors, culminating in a standoff that was resolved by a SWAT team intervention.

On May 24, Juan Ayala Montero, aged 60, was detained in Montgomery County. He now faces charges of felony deadly conduct related to the use of a firearm.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reported that Ayala was wielding a long gun and actively shooting at several individuals in the Kings Colony area. Deputies were dispatched to the scene in response to the threat.

Upon the arrival of a significant law enforcement presence, Ayala retreated and barricaded himself inside his residence, according to officials.

Images show Juan Ayala Montero both in a previous ICE photograph and a recent booking photo from the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office following his arrest. Authorities assert that the twice-deported individual was apprehended after allegedly discharging multiple shots in a suburban neighborhood.

The standoff concluded with the intervention of the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team. Ayala eventually surrendered peacefully and was taken into custody without any further complications.

Investigators recovered approximately 31 shell casings from the scene and said evidence showed multiple rounds were fired toward homes and residents.

Witnesses told investigators they attempted to de-escalate the situation and convince Ayala to put down the weapon, but he continued firing, authorities said.

Authorities in Montgomery County, Texas, arrested Juan Ayala Montero after he allegedly fired multiple rounds in a residential neighborhood over Memorial Day weekend. (Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Initial 911 calls indicated there were multiple victims. Investigators later determined only one person, a 17-year-old male, had been struck by gunfire. The teenager was treated and released from a local hospital.

Authorities said the shooting stemmed from an altercation between Ayala and the teenager.

The juvenile was later charged with making a false report to a peace officer after investigators determined information he initially provided to law enforcement was untruthful and hindered the investigation.

ICE Agents in uniform

A twice-deported Mexican national with a prior attempted homicide conviction was arrested in Texas after authorities say he fired dozens of rounds at neighbors during a Memorial Day weekend standoff that ended with a SWAT team surrender. (Fox News)

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced Monday that Ayala is also the subject of an immigration detainer and federal detainer after authorities determined he was in the country illegally.

Ayala, a Mexican citizen, had previously been deported from the U.S. twice and illegally reentered the country multiple times.

He was convicted of attempted homicide and criminal trespass while living in the U.S. illegally.

An immigration judge ordered him removed on Aug. 31, 1999, and he was deported to Mexico on Aug. 30, 2000.

After allegedly returning illegally, he was encountered again by immigration officials following a 2006 arrest by the Dallas Police Department. He was transferred into ICE custody and removed to Mexico that same day.

Authorities allege Ayala illegally entered the U.S. for a third time on an unknown date before his most recent arrest.

Montgomery County jail records show Ayala is being held on an $80,000 bond on the deadly conduct charge. The records also show an ICE hold and federal detainer have been lodged against him.

Authorities credited the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office’s participation in ICE’s 287(g) program with helping quickly identify Ayala’s immigration status and secure a detainer.

“The arrest and placement of an immigration detainer on this violent criminal illegal alien is another example of the positive impact that the 287(g) program has on increasing public safety in our local communities,” ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Houston Acting Field Office Director Gabriel Martinez said in a statement.

“By participating in the program, it provides our state and local law enforcement partners with another tool to prevent dangerous criminal illegal aliens like Ayala from being released back into the community where they will likely reoffend,” Martinez added.

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