An illegal alien unleashed into the U.S. by the Biden regime and repeatedly sheltered from federal immigration enforcement by officials in California has been charged in the brutal execution of a decorated military veteran at his home in Utah.
The shocking incident unfolded in West Point on May 30, but the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) just released key details about the suspect’s immigration background and criminal history.
Just before 6:30 p.m., police were called to the residence of James Randell “Randy” Witten, a 71-year-old veteran of the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force, local media reports.
Witten was hanging decorations on his front porch when a Honda Civic pulled up and a Hispanic male wearing a ski mask and dark clothing stepped out and opened fire.
Neighbors say they heard 10-15 rounds discharged, some of which struck Witten in the back, killing him.
“At one point, I heard (Witten’s wife) yell, ‘Somebody please tell me what’s going on,’ and I’ll never forget that,” a neighbor told KSL. “Just the way she said it, her tone and everything, it was so traumatic.”
The shooter and an accomplice sped away and remained on the loose for weeks.
The primary suspect was finally located on June 16 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police arrested Axel Eduardo Chavez-Marroquin, 24, on charges of murder with a dangerous weapon, discharge of a firearm causing serious injury, dangerous weapon conduct by a restricted person, and obstruction of justice.
On June 29, he was transferred to Davis County Jail in Utah where he is being held without bail.
Chavez-Marroquin, a citizen of El Salvador, illegally entered California in 2021 and was released into the interior by the Biden administration.
In 2024, he was charged with domestic violence in Santa Ana, California, and in 2025, he was charged with domestic violence in nearby Laguna Niguel.
On both occasions, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) lodged detainers against Chavez-Marroquin, but officials ignored those requests and released the Salvadoran back into the community.
“This monster is charged with murdering a 71-year-old Army and Air Force veteran in Utah. California sanctuary politicians RELEASED this criminal from jail TWICE after arrests for domestic violence. Following his release, he went on to commit this heinous murder,” said DHS Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis.
“This illegal alien should’ve never been allowed on our streets, and James Witten should still be alive today. ICE is now asking officials in Utah to commit to not releasing this criminal from jail and to work with ICE so that we can remove him from our country. Reckless sanctuary policies in states like California are putting American lives at risk.”
Randy Witten is survived by his wife, Maria, four children, and a large extended family.
“Randy was a 20-year Veteran of the United States Air Force, serving during Vietnam, Desert Storm and Granada. He served in Germany, Sicily, McConnell AFB Wichita Kansas; Bullis AFB San Antonio Texas; Lackland AFB San Antonio Texas, Dyess AFB Abilene Texas. He retired as an E-7 MSgt. And his career included Security and First Sergeant Duties. His Military decorations include; Meritorious Service Medal; AF Commendation Medal with one device; AF outstanding Unit Award with two devices; AF Organizational Excellence Award with one device; AF Good Conduct Medal with five devices; National Defense Service Medal with one device; NCO Professional Military Education Graduate Ribbon with two devices; Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon with one device; and AF Training Ribbon,” his obituary states.
“Randy’s education included several leadership and technical courses in the Air Force. He receives his GED, while a resident of Weber Basin Job Corp, his Associates, Bachelor’s degree in criminology and his Master’s in management. Randy loved to learn and would have been a full-time student if he could have.”
3 Responses
Deported? His corpse should be deported.
Once again, why aren’t the “officials” being held accountable??
Replacement migration working as intended. America traded a quality human being for a total piece of shit. It is not a bug; it is a feature!