A small-town traffic stop turned into a deadly confrontation when an illegal immigrant opened fire on a Tennessee Highway Patrol officer.
The Knox County District Attorney General’s Office reported on Thursday that Eugenio Abraham Solis-Klarks, age 31, was found guilty of first-degree attempted murder. He received a sentence of 18 years in prison without the option for parole following an officer-involved shooting incident on January 12.
A source familiar with the matter previously confirmed to Fox News Digital Solis-Klarks was living illegally in the United States from Guatemala.
According to the department, Dubroc was the only officer who could safely change lanes and continue chasing Solis-Klarks’ car. Solis-Klarks, a Guatemalan migrant, lost control of his car. When Dubroc managed to pull alongside him, he commanded Solis-Klarks to show his hands.
“Solis-Klarks took an assault rifle from his car and aimed it at Trooper Dubroc,” according to authorities. “Gunfire was exchanged between Trooper Dubroc and Solis-Klarks from over the hoods of their vehicles, leading them to retreat behind their respective cars.”
As Solis-Klarks ran toward the interstate entrance ramp, where troopers Snyder and Hasse were arriving, Tpr. Dubroc fired again, striking Solis-Klarks in the legs. Troopers then took him into custody and began providing medical treatment. No troopers were injured.
“This defendant has been held accountable because of the professionalism of the Tennessee Highway Patrol and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation,” DA Charme Allen said Thursday.
Drone view of the Tennessee State Capitol. (Joe Sohm/Visions of America/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
Tennessee is one of dozens of states that has seen increases in crime by illegal immigrants in recent years.
Under a state law passed in 2024, Tennessee law enforcement agencies are required to honor ICE detainer requests. In February 2024, the Nashville Banner reports, ICE made 33 detainer requests in Nashville, resulting in 11 individuals being taken into custody. By the following month, requests increased to 75, with 42 individuals detained.
It was immediately unclear if Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is pursuing the deportation of Solis-Klarks. Fox News Digital has reached out to ICE for comment.
