The 17-year-old suspect accused of launching a random shooting spree across Austin has been identified as an illegal immigrant, prosecutors revealed Tuesday.
Cristian Mondragon-Fajardo is one of three suspects who allegedly carried out 12 separate shootings across the city over the weekend, leaving three people injured and another victim in critical condition.
The two other suspects, ages 15 and 16, have not been publicly identified due to their age.
During Mondragon-Fajardo’s court appearance Tuesday, prosecutors disclosed that an ICE detainer had been issued following his arrest Sunday, according to Fox 7 Austin.
“The ICE detainer does add an extra component to his process,” Criminal Defense & Immigration Attorney Robert Jimenez said.
The development comes after a retired Austin police officer blasted the city’s left-leaning leadership, accusing the city council of embracing policies that weakened law enforcement before the violent rampage, including the stripping of key tools used by police.
Last weekend’s violent crime spree targeted the city’s first responders, with gunfire striking two Austin Fire Department stations and three fire trucks. Authorities said additional incidents included gunfire damage to five vehicles and four homes, as well as the theft of a firearm and five cars.
Mondragon-Fajardo was reportedly charged with six felonies, including two counts of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, two counts of aggravated assault with a motor vehicle, theft of firearms and evading arrest in a motor vehicle.
Prosecutors said Mondragon-Fajardo is being held without bond, arguing he poses a danger to the community and could face deportation if released, the outlet said.
With the ICE detainer in place, immigration agents have requested that local law enforcement notify ICE before releasing the suspect and hold him for up to 48 business hours, allowing federal authorities to assume custody for potential deportation proceedings. --->READ MORE HERE
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Newly released court documents are revealing how investigators connected one of the teenage suspects accused in last weekend’s Austin shooting spree to stolen vehicles and a stolen firearm.
According to affidavits obtained by CBS Austin on Thursday, 17-year-old Cristian Fajardo Mondragon is now facing two counts of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and one count of theft of a firearm. He also faces charges of aggravated assault with a motor vehicle and evading arrest.
The Travis County District Attorney's Office confirmed with CBS Austin that Mondragon is still in custody with law enforcement. Officials say the county argued that Mondragon posed a danger to the community and had an ICE hold, and that the judge approved their request and ordered that he remain in custody without bond.
According to court records, Mondragon appeared to have been released from jail under strict GPS-monitored house arrest conditions pending court proceedings. Bond conditions listed in the case require him to remain under electronic monitoring, avoid driving, undergo random drug testing, and stay away from co-defendants, firearms, and certain locations connected to the investigation. The DA's office says that those conditions do not apply in his case because of his No Bond order.
Austin police previously identified Mondragon as one of three teenagers accused in a two-day crime spree across South Austin and surrounding areas that left four people injured.
Investigators allege the suspects carried out 21 criminal incidents over the weekend, including the theft of five vehicles and a firearm, before firing 105 rounds across Austin.
Court documents state the roughly 36-hour spree included 12 shootings, four people shot, five vehicles struck by gunfire, four homes hit by bullets, two Austin fire stations damaged by gunfire, and three fire department vehicles struck. --->READ MORE HERE
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