U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) lodged an arrest detainers with Utah officials on July 20, 2026, requesting that Axel Eduardo Chavez-Marromquin not be released from custody following his arrest for the murder of a West Point veteran.
Details of the fatal shooting
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that the detainer was filed to ensure Chavez-Marroquin remains in jail so that federal authorities can proceed with removal proceedings. The suspect, an undocumented immigrant from El Salvador, faces multiple charges related to the fatal shooting of James Randell "Randy" Witten.
According to a DHS statement, the shooting occurred on May 30 in West Point, Utah. Witten, 71, was a veteran of both the U.S. Army and the U.S. Air Force. The incident took place while Witten was hanging up porch decorations at his home. A vehicle pulled up to the residence, and a suspect exited the car to fire repeatedly at Witten from behind before fleeing the scene in the same vehicle.
Apprehension and criminal charges
Law enforcement officials used surveillance footage from the West Point area to track the getaway car to Las Vegas. On June 16, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police officers located the vehicle and arrested Chavez-Marroquin inside.
Chavez-Marroquin faces several criminal charges in connection with the death of Witten, including murder with a dangerous weapon, discharge of a firearm causing serious injury, dangerous weapon conduct by a restricted person, and obstruction of justice. ICE lodged an arrest detainer for the suspect on the same day he was apprehended in Nevada.
Criminal history and immigration status
Following his arrest in Nevada, Chavez-Marroquin was transferred to the Davis County Jail in Utah on June 29. The Department of Homeland Security highlighted that the suspect entered the United States illegally through California in 2021 and was released into the country by the Biden Administration.
DHS officials pointed to a history of previous law enforcement contact in California. Chavez-Marroquin was convicted of domestic violence in Santa Ana, California, in 2024 and was arrested for another domestic violence offense in Laguna Niguel, California, in 2025. In both instances, DHS stated that ICE lodged detainers, but California sanctuary officials refused to cooperate and released him back into the community.
Criticism of sanctuary policies
The Department of Homeland Security has used the case to criticize the use of sanctuary policies in California. Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis criticized the decision by California officials to release the suspect following his prior arrests.
"This monster is charged with murdering a 71-year-old Army and Air Force veteran in Utah," Bis said in a statement. "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."
Bis further argued that the lack of cooperation from sanctuary jurisdictions puts lives at risk, stating, "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."
Future legal proceedings
The federal government is now seeking the cooperation of Utah authorities to ensure Chavez-Marroquin remains in custody until his immigration proceedings are complete. The DHS maintains that reckless sanctuary policies in states like California are a direct threat to public safety.
