An Arizona cattle rancher living near the US border with Mexico has been charged with first-degree murder in the fatal shooting of a man believed to be a Mexican citizen.
George Alan Kelly, 73, was arrested last week in connection to a Jan. 30 killing that took place on his property, the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s office said.
Authorities say the victim, identified as Gabriel Cuen-Butimea, 48, was living in Nogales, Mexico — separated by the border from an American town by the same name.
Officials believe Cuen-Butimea was a Mexican citizen because of a Mexican voter registration card he carried.
The fatal shooting took place just outside of Nogales, Arizona, in the Kino Springs area, according to Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Gerardo Castillo.
An address listed for Kelly’s cattle ranch matches where Cuen-Butimea was killed.
Authorities have not provided much information about the killing, including a possible motive or whether the two men had known each other before the shooting.
The shooting left the neighborhood of Kino Springs shaken, with residents saying they have never felt unsafe in the border town before.
Maria Castillo, who has lived on Kino Springs and West Sagebrush Road for the past 10 years told KOLD News 13 it wasn’t unusual to see people crossing the border and going about town.
“I drive through here everyday,” Castillo said. “Late, early and never encountered anybody, I feel very safe living here in the area.”
Another neighbor, who did not want to be identified, told the outlet they knew the alleged shooter personally and even considered him a friend.
According to that friend, Kelly had previously had issues with people on his property. The friend noted that whatever reasoning there may be behind the alleged shooting, he believes Kelly acted in good faith.
Kelly was taken into custody at the Santa Cruz County Jail, where he is being held on $1 million bail. He is scheduled to reappear in court on Wednesday.
With Post wires.
