Latest news with #EugenioAbrahamSolisKlarks
Fox News
11-07-2025
- Fox News
Illegal immigrant convicted of shooting at small-town officer in high-speed chase
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 announced Thursday that Eugenio Abraham Solis-Klarks, 31, was convicted of first-degree attempted murder and sentenced to 18 years in prison without the possibility of parole after a Jan. 12 officer-involved shooting. A source familiar with the matter previously confirmed to Fox News Digital Solis-Klarks was living illegally in the United States from Guatemala. Tennessee authorities initially pulled Solis-Klarks over Jan. 12 around 6:30 p.m. in Lenoir City after Tennessee Highway Patrol Tpr. Morgan Snyder observed him driving 97 mph on Interstate 75 in Loudon County. Tpr. Snyder pulled the Guatemalan national over for speeding and asked if he had any ID. Upon being pulled over, authorities said, Klarks presented a Guatemalan consular ID card. The trooper called for backup, and troopers Paul Dubroc and Justic Hasse arrived at the stop. When authorities began to issue a citation, Solis-Klarks fled, "leading officers on a high-speed pursuit into Knox County," court records state. All three troopers pursued Solis-Klarks, who was driving in excess of 100 mph, the district attorney's office said. As they approached an exit, he "abruptly changed lanes to take the exit ramp," the department said. Only Dubroc was able to safely change lanes and continue to pursue Solis-Klarks' vehicle, the department said. The Guatemalan migrant lost control of his vehicle, and Dubroc pulled up next to him and ordered him to show his hands, the department said. "Solis-Klarks retrieved an assault rifle from his vehicle and aimed it at Trp. Dubroc," authorities said. "Tpr. Dubroc and Solis-Klarks exchanged gunfire over the hoods of the vehicles before each retreated around their vehicles." 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. 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.
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Illegal immigrant accused of shooting at small-town officer in high-speed chase faces possible deportation
An illegal immigrant from Guatemala is accused of firing at a Tennessee Highway Patrol trooper multiple times after a traffic stop turned into a dangerous pursuit, according to court documents. Tennessee authorities initially pulled Eugenio Abraham Solis Klarks over Jan. 12 around 6:30 p.m. in Lenoir City for speeding and asked if he had any ID. A source familiar with the matter confirmed to Fox News Digital the suspect was living illegally in the United States from Guatemala. Upon being pulled over, Klarks allegedly presented a Guatemalan consular ID card. And when authorities began to issue a citation, he apparently fled, "leading officers on a high-speed pursuit into Knox County," court records state. "The Defendant eventually lost control of his vehicle on Watt Road. When the first trooper approached his vehicle, the Defendant exited the vehicle holding an assault rifle, raised the weapon, and aimed at the trooper," court documents state. "The defendant was struck during the exchange of gunfire. Multiple firearms were recovered from the Defendant's vehicle." Illegal Immigrant Suspect In Rachel Morin's Murder Expected To Argue For Change Of Venue Klarks' vehicle was apparently spotted in Macon, Georgia, and Indianapolis before the shooting. Read On The Fox News App Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has since filed an immigration detainer against the suspect, who is in custody at the Knox County Jail. He is charged with evading arrest but may be facing more charges in the future. Smugglers Transporting Vans Packed With 26 Chinese Illegal Immigrants Detained In Florida: Police Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and other Republican state politicians are considering a bill that would establish a "centralized immigration enforcement division" within the state's Department of Public Safety and Homeland Security to crack down on illegal immigration and crimes like the Jan. 12 shooting. The bill is part of the governor's immigration agenda that the Tennessee legislature will consider during a special session this week. "Last year, Gov. Lee directed key state agencies to begin preparing for federal immigration policy implementation," Elizabeth Johnson, a spokesperson for the governor, told Fox News Digital in a statement Tuesday. "In this special session, we will ensure the state is best positioned to coordinate with federal, state and local law enforcement to implement the Trump Administration's plan to enforce the federal immigration laws on the books." Johnson added that the president "has made it clear that states will play a major role in partnering with his administration to make our communities safer." "Tennessee is heeding the call," she said. Florida Abduction Report Leads To Discovery Of U-haul Van Filled With Mostly Chinese Migrants Tennessee is one of dozens of states that have seen increases in crimes by illegal immigrant suspects, including those affiliated with the violent Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. The division would incentivize collaboration between federal immigration enforcement and state and local government entities, as well as prohibit state and local governments from enacting so-called "sanctuary city" policies in which local officials do not cooperate with ICE. Additionally, the division would hire a chief immigration enforcement officer, appointed by Gov. Lee, who would oversee "state and local collaboration with federal immigration agencies" and facilitate "efficient communication between state, local, and federal agencies with respect to immigration policy and enforcement," among other duties, according to a summary of the bill. "With this legislation, Tennessee continues to lead the nation in fighting illegal immigration," state Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson said in a statement. "This bold proposal will help alleviate the burden of illegal immigration on local governments by centralizing immigration enforcement, making it easier for the state and local governments to work with federal authorities to remove dangerous illegal immigrants from our communities. Additionally, we are taking action to hold local officials accountable for unlawfully harboring illegal immigrants, in clear violation of our state's sanctuary city ban." Democrats have criticized the proposed legislation as a "distraction" from the governor's pro-school choice voucher legislation, which will also be considered during the special session, along with disaster funding for areas impacted by Hurricane Helene. "Gov. Bill Lee's push for divisive immigration policies is a cynical distraction from his plan to expand his failed private school voucher scam statewide," Senate Democratic Caucus spokesperson Brandon Puttbrese told The Tennessean. "By mirroring Donald Trump's extreme promise to deport immigrant workers, Gov. Lee is engaging in a calculated effort to divide Tennesseans in order to advance his political agenda."Original article source: Illegal immigrant accused of shooting at small-town officer in high-speed chase faces possible deportation
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Illegal immigrant accused of shooting at small-town officer in high-speed chase faces possible deportation
An illegal immigrant from Guatemala is accused of firing at a Tennessee Highway Patrol trooper multiple times after a traffic stop turned into a dangerous pursuit, according to court documents. Tennessee authorities initially pulled Eugenio Abraham Solis Klarks over Jan. 12 around 6:30 p.m. in Lenoir City for speeding and asked if he had any ID. An source familiar with the matter confirmed to Fox News Digital the suspect was living illegally in the United States from Guatemala. Upon being pulled over, Klarks allegedly presented a Guatemalan consular ID card. And when authorities began to issue a citation, he apparently fled, "leading officers on a high-speed pursuit into Knox County," court records state. "The Defendant eventually lost control of his vehicle on Watt Road. When the first trooper approached his vehicle, the Defendant exited the vehicle holding an assault rifle, raised the weapon, and aimed at the trooper," court documents state. "The defendant was struck during the exchange of gunfire. Multiple firearms were recovered from the Defendant's vehicle." Illegal Immigrant Suspect In Rachel Morin's Murder Expected To Argue For Change Of Venue Klarks' vehicle was apparently spotted in Macon, Georgia, and Indianapolis before the shooting. Read On The Fox News App Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has since filed an immigration detainer against the suspect, who is in custody at the Knox County Jail. He is charged with evading arrest but may be facing more charges in the future. Smugglers Transporting Vans Packed With 26 Chinese Illegal Immigrants Detained In Florida: Police Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and other Republican state politicians are considering a bill that would establish a "centralized immigration enforcement division" within the state's Department of Public Safety and Homeland Security to crack down on illegal immigration and crimes like the Jan. 12 shooting. The bill is part of the governor's immigration agenda that the Tennessee legislature will consider during a special session this week. "Last year, Gov. Lee directed key state agencies to begin preparing for federal immigration policy implementation," Elizabeth Johnson, a spokesperson for the governor, told Fox News Digital in a statement Tuesday. "In this special session, we will ensure the state is best positioned to coordinate with federal, state and local law enforcement to implement the Trump Administration's plan to enforce the federal immigration laws on the books." Johnson added that the president "has made it clear that states will play a major role in partnering with his administration to make our communities safer." "Tennessee is heeding the call," she said. Florida Abduction Report Leads To Discovery Of U-haul Van Filled With Mostly Chinese Migrants Tennessee is one of dozens of states that have seen increases in crimes by illegal immigrant suspects, including those affiliated with the violent Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. The division would incentivize collaboration between federal immigration enforcement and state and local government entities, as well as prohibit state and local governments from enacting so-called "sanctuary city" policies in which local officials do not cooperate with ICE. Additionally, the division would hire a chief immigration enforcement officer, appointed by Gov. Lee, who would oversee "state and local collaboration with federal immigration agencies" and facilitate "efficient communication between state, local, and federal agencies with respect to immigration policy and enforcement," among other duties, according to a summary of the bill. "With this legislation, Tennessee continues to lead the nation in fighting illegal immigration," state Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson said in a statement. "This bold proposal will help alleviate the burden of illegal immigration on local governments by centralizing immigration enforcement, making it easier for the state and local governments to work with federal authorities to remove dangerous illegal immigrants from our communities. Additionally, we are taking action to hold local officials accountable for unlawfully harboring illegal immigrants, in clear violation of our state's sanctuary city ban." Democrats have criticized the proposed legislation as a "distraction" from the governor's pro-school choice voucher legislation, which will also be considered during the special session, along with disaster funding for areas impacted by Hurricane Helene. "Gov. Bill Lee's push for divisive immigration policies is a cynical distraction from his plan to expand his failed private school voucher scam statewide," Senate Democratic Caucus spokesperson Brandon Puttbrese told The Tennessean. "By mirroring Donald Trump's extreme promise to deport immigrant workers, Gov. Lee is engaging in a calculated effort to divide Tennesseans in order to advance his political agenda."Original article source: Illegal immigrant accused of shooting at small-town officer in high-speed chase faces possible deportation
Fox News
29-01-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Illegal immigrant accused of shooting at small-town officer in high-speed chase faces possible deportation
An illegal immigrant from Guatemala is accused of firing at a Tennessee Highway Patrol trooper multiple times after a traffic stop turned into a dangerous pursuit, according to court documents. Tennessee authorities initially pulled Eugenio Abraham Solis Klarks over Jan. 12 around 6:30 p.m. in Lenoir City for speeding and asked if he had any ID. An source familiar with the matter confirmed to Fox News Digital the suspect was living illegally in the United States from Guatemala. Upon being pulled over, Klarks allegedly presented a Guatemalan consular ID card. And when authorities began to issue a citation, he apparently fled, "leading officers on a high-speed pursuit into Knox County," court records state. "The Defendant eventually lost control of his vehicle on Watt Road. When the first trooper approached his vehicle, the Defendant exited the vehicle holding an assault rifle, raised the weapon, and aimed at the trooper," court documents state. "The defendant was struck during the exchange of gunfire. Multiple firearms were recovered from the Defendant's vehicle." Klarks' vehicle was apparently spotted in Macon, Georgia, and Indianapolis before the shooting. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has since filed an immigration detainer against the suspect, who is in custody at the Knox County Jail. He is charged with evading arrest but may be facing more charges in the future. Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and other Republican state politicians are considering a bill that would establish a "centralized immigration enforcement division" within the state's Department of Public Safety and Homeland Security to crack down on illegal immigration and crimes like the Jan. 12 shooting. The bill is part of the governor's immigration agenda that the Tennessee legislature will consider during a special session this week. "Last year, Gov. Lee directed key state agencies to begin preparing for federal immigration policy implementation," Elizabeth Johnson, a spokesperson for the governor, told Fox News Digital in a statement Tuesday. "In this special session, we will ensure the state is best positioned to coordinate with federal, state and local law enforcement to implement the Trump Administration's plan to enforce the federal immigration laws on the books." Johnson added that the president "has made it clear that states will play a major role in partnering with his administration to make our communities safer." "Tennessee is heeding the call," she said. Tennessee is one of dozens of states that have seen increases in crimes by illegal immigrant suspects, including those affiliated with the violent Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. The division would incentivize collaboration between federal immigration enforcement and state and local government entities, as well as prohibit state and local governments from enacting so-called "sanctuary city" policies in which local officials do not cooperate with ICE. Additionally, the division would hire a chief immigration enforcement officer, appointed by Gov. Lee, who would oversee "state and local collaboration with federal immigration agencies" and facilitate "efficient communication between state, local, and federal agencies with respect to immigration policy and enforcement," among other duties, according to a summary of the bill. "With this legislation, Tennessee continues to lead the nation in fighting illegal immigration," state Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson said in a statement. "This bold proposal will help alleviate the burden of illegal immigration on local governments by centralizing immigration enforcement, making it easier for the state and local governments to work with federal authorities to remove dangerous illegal immigrants from our communities. Additionally, we are taking action to hold local officials accountable for unlawfully harboring illegal immigrants, in clear violation of our state's sanctuary city ban." Democrats have criticized the proposed legislation as a "distraction" from the governor's pro-school choice voucher legislation, which will also be considered during the special session, along with disaster funding for areas impacted by Hurricane Helene. "Gov. Bill Lee's push for divisive immigration policies is a cynical distraction from his plan to expand his failed private school voucher scam statewide," Senate Democratic Caucus spokesperson Brandon Puttbrese told The Tennessean. "By mirroring Donald Trump's extreme promise to deport immigrant workers, Gov. Lee is engaging in a calculated effort to divide Tennesseans in order to advance his political agenda."
