A previously deported Mexican national died after opening fire on law enforcement officers during a police chase in Charleston County, South Carolina, earlier this month.
Authorities said Floriberto Perez-Nieto was identified as the primary suspect in a shooting that occurred the day before deputies attempted to stop his vehicle on February 11. When officers located Perez-Nieto and tried to conduct a traffic stop, he allegedly fled and fired a weapon at deputies during the pursuit.
According to the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office, one deputy was struck in the chest but was protected by a bulletproof vest and did not suffer injuries. Deputies returned fire, and Perez-Nieto was pronounced dead at the scene.
Federal officials later confirmed that Perez-Nieto had previously been deported from the United States. Records indicate he was removed to Mexico in February 2019 after being apprehended following an illegal border crossing.
Authorities say he later reentered the country without authorization, which constitutes a felony offense under federal law.
A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security stated that the incident highlights concerns about individuals who reenter the country illegally and are later involved in violent crimes. Officials emphasized that the deputy’s protective equipment prevented what could have been a fatal outcome.
The investigation into the initial shooting that led deputies to seek Perez-Nieto remains ongoing, and law enforcement agencies continue to review the circumstances surrounding the chase and exchange of gunfire.
