Illegal Immigrant Facing Attempted Murder Charges - WECT TV6-WECT.com:News, weather & sports Wilmington, NC

WILMINGTON -- An illegal immigrant will go to trial on Monday for charges of attempted murder, according to prosecutors.

Miguel Ranjel allegedly shot Wilmington resident Michael Harrell outside the Carolina Cantina on Market Street in December 2005.

According to the police, Ranjel showed his gun to Harrell, and told Harrell that he was going to shoot people inside the restaurant. Ranjel then went to the bathroom. Harrell evacuated everyone in the restaurant.

When he came back out, Harrell had already gotten everyone outside. Police said that Ranjel then shot Harrell in the stomach and the arm.

Ranjel is charged with attempted first degree murder, assault with a deadly weapon, and resisting a police officer.

Prosecutors said that if Ranjel is convicted, he would will serve his sentence in North Carolina, then be deported.

That was just one of the two recent cases of illegal immigrants going to trial. Martin Vazquez, 42, is facing charges of involuntary manslaughter.

According to the police, Vazquez was drunk when he slammed into Benedict Randolph's car on Oleander Drive, killing Randolph.

An agent with Immigration Customs Enforcement told WECT that when illegal immigrants commit crimes in the U.S., they will be held accountable for what they have done, and then be deported to their native country.

Reported by Kacey Gaumer