Veteran recovering after being injured in failed robbery attempt involving immigrant in Cullman

CULLMAN, Ala. ( WIAT ) — A U.S. military veteran is recovering after he was allegedly attacked in by a 21-year-old immigrant who was reportedly living in the country illegally.

In a press conference held Wednesday, Cullman County Sheriff Matt Gentry said the veteran was looking to purchase equipment online from a person in Cullman. The veteran, who is not from the area, went to Brunner Street Sunday to meet him.

Gentry said when the veteran met the person, he was told the equipment was not on site. They got into a vehicle and traveled when the person allegedly stuck a knife to the veteran’s throat and said, “Give me the money, or I’m going to kill you.” Gentry claimed the veteran then shot the suspect, later identified as Abel Medardo Sacrab-Chen, who had allegedly come into the country illegally from Guatemala and had been living in Cullman the last couple of months.

“He is an illegal alien that crossed the border a couple years ago, was identified, and let go into the U.S. to become a violent criminal in our community,” Gentry said.

Cullman County deputies and Cullman police responded to a call of a person who had been shot three times on County Road 463. Gentry said they soon found Sacrab-Chen in the victim’s truck at the intersection of Highway 278 and Highway 31. The veteran was also found shot.

Gentry said investigators concluded that Sacrab-Chen, who had been shot once or twice, had used the veteran’s gun against him, shooting him three times and making cuts to his face. As of Wednesday, the veteran who was recovering at home with his family.

Sacrab-Chen, who is currently recovering in a hospital, has been charged with first-degree robbery. Cullman County District Attorney Champ Crocker said his office has approved a warrant for certain person forbidden to possess a firearm against Sacrab-Chen and that he expects more charges to be filed against him.

Gentry added that the sheriff’s office and Cullman Police Department are safe places to meet for picking up items found online and that if a seller is not willing to meet at a law enforcement office for the transaction, they should not go through with it.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL.