Mexican National Indicted for Shooting Dallas School Police Officer

<p>Jose Santiago Pantoja-Morales, a 27-year-old Mexican national, has been indicted on a federal firearms charge after allegedly shooting a Dallas Independent School District (DISD) police officer during an incident on August 6. The indictment was announced by prosecutors on September 24.</p><p>The incident occurred after Pantoja-Morales reportedly jumped out of a co-worker’s car and into the center median of the Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway. The co-worker flagged down the DISD officer, who was on routine patrol, to offer Pantoja-Morales a ride to a nearby safe location.</p><p>During the ride, prosecutors allege that Pantoja-Morales began rummaging through the officer’s bag in the back seat. When the officer pulled over to remove him from the vehicle, Pantoja-Morales allegedly resisted, leading to a physical struggle. During the altercation, he allegedly grabbed the officer’s gun and fired, striking the officer in the femoral artery of his right leg.</p><p>Despite his injury, the officer regained control of his weapon. Pantoja-Morales fled the scene but was quickly apprehended by law enforcement. Another DISD officer provided medical treatment at the scene before the wounded officer was transported to Parkland Hospital for further care.</p><p>A federal grand jury returned an indictment on September 16, charging Pantoja-Morales with possession of a firearm by an illegal alien, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas. If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in federal prison.</p><p>U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould commented on the case, stating, "The illegal alien’s alleged actions in this case represent an attack on the rule of law and a direct threat to public safety. Violence against an officer will not be tolerated, and we will pursue this prosecution with the utmost rigor to ensure full accountability." The ATF Dallas Field Office and Dallas Police Department are investigating the case, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Nadin-Sarah Salkic handling the prosecution.</p>