Female police officer is shot by illegal Venezuelan immigrant - who snuck through border and was released into Texas

A Venezuelan man who entered the US illegally shot at three Texas police officers, injuring one cop who was dragged to safety during the shootout by her fellow officers.

Jorge Chacon-Gutierrez, 25, who illegally crossed into Eagle Pass, Texas in November 2023 but was then released by federal authorities, has been identified as the shooter, according to Fox News. 

Chacon-Gutierrez was found dead after he opened fire on the three officers who were responding to a domestic violence call at an apartment, the local police chief confirmed.

The female officer who was wounded during the spray of gunfire underwent surgery Sunday morning, and is expected to survive.

Jorge Chacon-Gutierrez, 25, has been identified by San Antonio TV station WOAI as illegal immigrant shooter who opened fire on three police officers Sunday morning

'These are the consequences of failed catch & release policies,' tweeted Texas Congressman Tony Gonzales. 

'I am thankful the injured SAPD officer is stable & I pray she makes a full recovery soon.'

Officers responded to the apartment around 3 a.m. Sunday after shooter's girlfriend had been assaulted by him, the police department said. 

'When officers went in to the apartment, (the shooter) was lying in bed with a rifle by his side, and he started shooting at the officer,' Police Chief William McManus told reporters. 

'The officers returned fire. They exited the apartment.'

SWAT officers later made entry into the apartment and 'saw the suspect was deceased,' however McManus couldn't say whether it was a self-inflicted wound or whether the shooter had been hit by police rounds.

The wounded officer has not be identified by the department, however, the chief added that she has been on the force for less than three years. 

An armed police officer stands guard after three cops were shot while responding to a domestic violence call in San Antonio Sunday morning

Police Chief William McManus confirmed the female officer shot had been hit several times and underwent surgery Sunday

The police department has not officially named the shooter either. 

Meanwhile US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) told DailyMail.com it is awaiting official confirmation of the shooter's identity before it can release any details about how Chacon entered the country. 

ICE is the federal agency responsible for tracking migrants in the US. 

Chacon was released into the US after he was given a notice to appear before a federal judge in April 2026, according to Fox News.