A previously-deported illegal alien from Mexico is dead after shooting a police officer in South Carolina last week, authorities say.
On Feb. 10, the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) responded to reports of shots fired on Johns Island.
They interviewed the caller and searched the area, but could not locate a suspect.
Hours later, the same individual called again to say the suspect had returned to the neighborhood.
CCSO deputies located the suspect’s vehicle and attempted to pull him over but he sped away, triggering a chase, Sheriff Carl Ritchie explained at a press conference.
The suspect then bailed out and fled on foot before opening fire on pursuing deputies, one of whom was struck in the chest but survived thanks to his ballistic armor.
Deputies returned fire, killing the suspect.
He was identified as Floriberto Perez-Nieto, a Mexican national who was removed from the U.S. in 2019, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) explained in a press release.
He illegally reentered the U.S. at an unknown location and date.
🚨 Charleston County, SC: Illegal alien Floriberto Perez-Nieto shot a Sheriff's deputy in the chest while trying to evade arrest.
Deputies returned fire and killed Perez-Nieto.
The deputy who was shot was wearing body armor and was unharmed. pic.twitter.com/8SFu19wZjC
— Illegal Alien Crimes (@ImmigrantCrimes) February 19, 2026
“This criminal illegal alien illegally obtained a firearm and nearly killed a law enforcement officer,” said outgoing DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin.
“Thankfully, the officer’s body armor saved his life. There could have been quite a different tragic outcome for this officer and his family.”
