Arizona Rancher Charged With Murder For Shooting Previously-Deported Mexican Migrant On His Property

George Alan Kelly, 73, was arrested following the January 30 fatal shooting of Gabriel Cuen-Butimea, 48, on his ranch in Kino Springs, just a mile and a half north of the US-Mexico border.

Authorities are still investigating the fatal shooting, with the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's chief deputy saying it does not appear that Kelly knew Cuen-Butimea ahead of the shooting.

But a friend of Kelly's told KOLD he has had issues with people on his property in the past, though he believes Kelly acted in the best faith.

Cuen-Butimea, meanwhile, has had a history of illegally crossing the US-Mexico border, according to federal court records, and was deported back to his home country multiple times — most recently in 2016.

[...] Officials say they are still trying to clarify the circumstances surrounding the shooting and establish a motive, with Chief Deputy Gerardo Castillo saying: 'It doesn't seem like Mr. Kelly and the [victim] knew each other.'

But under Arizona law, deadly force is allowed on one's own property if the homeowner believes it 'immediately necessary' to prevent trespassing.

Several other statutes — known as the 'stand your ground' laws — also defend the use of physical or deadly force when a homeowner fears a threat and believes force is necessary.