Posted on 06/16/2005 6:30:45 PM PDT by shellshocked
Sheriff's Office: Illegal immigrant suspected in shooting death of Qwest executive written by : Dan Viens Web Producer and Paola Farer Web Producer
Created: 6/16/2005 1:48 PM MDT - Updated: 6/16/2005 6:02 PM MDT
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Garfield County Sheriff Lou Vallario says his investigators have a suspect. June 16, 2005.
Charlotte Garrett says her husband's death has been devastating for the entire family. June 16, 2005.
GLENWOOD SPRINGS - The Garfield County Sheriff's Office says the person suspected of shooting a Qwest executive is believed to be an illegal immigrant who has fled to Mexico.
Authorities investigate death of Qwest executive on hunting trip
Tancredo Issues Statement Regarding Garrett Shooting
9NEWS Mountain Reporter Matt Renoux updates the days developments in the investigation into the shooting of Qwest executive Jeff Garrett. 5 p.m. June 16, 2005.
Original story aired May 17, 2005: Investigators looking into the shooting death of Qwest executive Jeff Garrett. May 17, 2005. 9NEWS at 10 p.m.
"We've recovered the weapon, we have a witness and we have a suspect," said Garfield County Sheriff Lou Vallario at a Thursday afternoon news conference in Glenwood Springs. "The bad news is that he is currently, we believe, in Mexico but we are pursuing avenues to go and interview him and address that as well."
Jeff Garrett of Aurora, pictured above, was shot in the chest while turkey hunting Saturday, May 14 in the East Elk Creek area near New Castle.
The sheriff's office says the suspect was a ranch hand who worked in the area where the shooting took place.
Officials said the suspect told other workers on the ranch that he planned to go turkey hunting that day. When he returned, the suspect said he may have shot someone by mistake. Deputies said they will head to Mexico next week to pursue their investigation.
Garrett had been hunting with friends the day he was shot. The group split up at the start of the day and planned to meet later, but Garrett never returned. A search crew found his body around 7 p.m. that day.
It's believed Garrett was calling turkeys and was accidentally shot. Authorities say the suspect will likely face charges of negligent homicide as well as manslaughter. Neither charge would prevent him from being extradited.
Garrett was the Assistant Vice-President for Qwest Communications for the State of Colorado. He lived in Aurora.
His widow Charlotte Garrett spoke at Thursday's press conference. "The death of my husband Jeff Garrett has been devastating to all of us," she said. "Jeff was a thoughtful husband, a proud father, a loving son, a protective brother, to many people he was a funny and caring friend."
U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-CO, a longtime advocate of tougher border controls, issued a statement on the Garrett case Thursday. "The tragic death of Jeff Garrett is another unfortunate example of the real-life consequences of our lax border security policies," it said.
"It is shameful that illegal aliens can so easily cross our porous borders or overstay their visas with such impunity. It is tragic that an illegal alien can commit a murder in this country and evade American justice by slipping back across the border."
Democratic Rep. John Salazar says the most important first step is simply documenting foreign workers.
We'll here from both congressmen tonight on 9News at 10 p.m.
"Authorities say the suspect will likely face charges of negligent homicide as well as manslaughter. Neither charge would prevent him from being extradited."
Notice that the charges and extradition are an issue. Same with the cop killer we are STILL trying to have turned over from Mexican authorities.
Mexican Gov't is all for sending criminals and murderers north. Unless they murder in the States. THEN they are welcomed back and harboured in Mexico.
Personally I think we should send special forces to go collect these people.
Just out of idle curiosity, I wonder how many illegal immigrants Qwest has on its payroll?
Illegal aliens prohibited by law from owning firearms, right?
Another genius Democrat. Hey, Einstein, if we could document them we could keep them out or under strict control. Also, what is this most important first step? What is the second most important first step? How many first steps are there?
You mean that if they have papers they will not rape and kill people any more. I know Bull S----, when I see it.
The guy sounds typical of some of the hunters I know. My ex brother-in-law has only half a left foot because of an idiot like this,and he does not look like a Buck. Good thing the idiot aimed low. They are treating this as a Homicide instead of idiot faux hunter accidental shooting. They need to clean these statements up so they maintain credibility after all there are plenty of murdering illegals that flee to Mexico that we need to send "dog" after. This guy is probably too stupid to find the Border. Yes the Qwest guy should still be alive,but there are plenty of family dogs,sheep and cows that trigger happy hunters have mistaken for Deer or other real "Game".
We need to follow the example of Israel and hunt down characters like this on foreign soil, taking them fully into the custody of the government.
I believe Churchill used the term "take them fully into the custody of the crown" when authorizing the execution of second and third level Nazis in post WWII Europe.
bump
"Personally I think we should send special forces to go collect these people.
"
Me, too.
But there's no mention about the sentiment of who owns Qwest and of the Central American and South American Qwest executives who hate America.
Who, Qwest executives who are still alive?
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