During a Wednesday press conference, Cullman County Sheriff Matt Gentry provided details surrounding a shooting which took place Sunday, Sept. 1.

“We responded to a call [on Sunday] where an American and a veteran of 36 years was shot,” Gentry said Wednesday afternoon.

Gentry said the victim, who was not identified, traveled to Brunner Street in the city of Cullman to complete a prearranged online purchase from the now-suspected shooter identified as Abel Medardo Sacrab-Chen, an undocumented, 21-year-old Guatemalan migrant. Gentry said the victim was told the two would need to travel to a second location in order to pickup the item he intended to purchase. While driving to the second location, Gentry said Sacrab-Chen held a knife to the victim’s throat and threatened his life if he did not comply with the robbery.

According to victim’s statement, he (victim) then used his own firearm to shoot Sacrab-Chen. After a reported struggle in which Sacrab-Chen made several cuts to the victim’s face, Sacrab-Chen then used the victim’s gun to shoot him three times.

Gentry said Homeland Security had identified Sacrab-Chen as an individual who had been caught illegally crossing the border approximately two years ago by U.S. Border Patrol. Gentry was unsure if Sacrab-Chen had made an asylum claim, but said based on a visit he made to the southern border last year, he believed it was possible Sacrab-Chen had been processed and given a future court date before being released. Gentry said Sacrab-Chen had only been residing on Brunner Street for a couple of months.

Gentry also said it was “unclear” if Sacrab-Chen had been involved in any previous criminal activity either in the U.S. or Guatemala.

Both individuals are currently being treated for the injuries sustained during the incident.

Cullman County District Attorney Crocker said Sacrab-Chen has been charged with First Degree Robbery. He said warrants have also been issued for “a certain person” forbidden to possess a firearm based on their immigration status. Crocker and Gentry said more charges are expected as the investigation continues to unfold.

“Being in the country illegally may get you a free house in California, but it does not entitle you to immunity from prosecution in Cullman County,” Crocker said.