Cristian Mondragon-Fajardo, teen suspect tied to capturing spree in Texas, recognized as unlawful alien



The 17-year-old suspect accused of launching a random capturing spree throughout Austin has been recognized as an unlawful immigrant, prosecutors revealed Tuesday.

Cristian Mondragon-Fajardo is certainly one of three suspects who allegedly carried out 12 separate shootings throughout town over the weekend, leaving three folks injured and one other sufferer in crucial situation.

The 2 different suspects, ages 15 and 16, haven’t been publicly recognized because of their age. 

Throughout Mondragon-Fajardo’s court docket look Tuesday, prosecutors disclosed that an ICE detainer had been issued following his arrest Sunday, in accordance to Fox 7 Austin.

“The ICE detainer does add an additional part to his course of,” Felony Protection & Immigration Legal professional Robert Jimenez mentioned. 

The event comes after a retired Austin police officer blasted town’s left-leaning management, accusing town council of embracing insurance policies that weakened legislation enforcement earlier than the violent rampage, together with the stripping of key instruments utilized by police. 

Cristian Fajardo Mondragon, 17, is certainly one of three suspects accused in an in a single day crime spree involving 12 shootings all through Austin, Texas, on Could 16, 2026. Austin Police Division

Final weekend’s violent crime spree focused town’s first responders, with gunfire hanging two Austin Fireplace Division stations and three fireplace vans. Authorities mentioned extra incidents included gunfire injury to 5 automobiles and 4 properties, in addition to the theft of a firearm and 5 vehicles.

Mondragon-Fajardo was reportedly charged with six felonies, together with two counts of unauthorized use of a motorcar, two counts of aggravated assault with a motorcar, theft of firearms and evading arrest in a motorcar.

Prosecutors mentioned Mondragon-Fajardo is being held with out bond, arguing he poses a hazard to the group and will face deportation if launched, the outlet mentioned.

Surveillance footage launched by Austin police reveals a suspect investigators mentioned was concerned in a number of capturing incidents throughout Austin. Austin Police Division

With the ICE detainer in place, immigration brokers have requested that native legislation enforcement notify ICE earlier than releasing the suspect and maintain him for as much as 48 enterprise hours, permitting federal authorities to imagine custody for potential deportation proceedings.

Nonetheless, the detainer doesn’t point out that ICE can instantly take over the legal case.

“That might solely kick in as soon as he’s not approved to be held by state custody,” Jimenez mentioned, in line with Fox 7. 

Austin police shared a photograph of a white Kia sedan believed to be stolen in reference to 12 shootings all through Austin, Texas, on Could 16, 2026. X / @Austin_Police

ICE might change into concerned later, both after a jail sentence or parole is accomplished, at which level Mondragon-Fajardo might face elimination proceedings.

Jimenez reportedly added that the immigration maintain can also have an effect on protection technique, doubtlessly shaping how attorneys strategy any plea negotiations given the doable immigration penalties.

“You may have the ability to get a useful plea settlement, however that plea settlement may nonetheless end in extreme unfavorable immigration penalties,” Jimenez mentioned.

Mondragon-Fajardo additionally has an energetic warrant for allegedly beforehand stealing a firearm from a neighborhood retailer, the place the 15-year-old suspect is accused of stealing one other weapon on Saturday.

It’s unclear whether or not Mondragon-Fajardo’s co-defendants are being processed via a separate juvenile justice system because of their ages.



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