By New York Post (U.S.) | Created at 2025-03-20 21:42:50 | Updated at 2025-04-05 15:44:06
2 weeks ago
An admitted MS-13 gangbanger with a lengthy rap sheet is responsible for “ambushing” and shooting three cops in Pueblo, Colorado Tuesday night, cops said.
And the police chief blasted “soft on crime” policies that allowed the gangbanger to roam free despite 14 prior felony arrests.
Billy Soto was out on bond for three felonies and wanted for an attempted murder that occurred at a local apartment complex last month when he fired 80 shots from a rifle at local cops, Pueblo Police Chief Chris Noeller told reporters Wednesday.
The officers now face “a long road to recovery,” said Noeller.
Soto, 34, was shot and killed when cops returned fire.
Billy Soto is a career criminal and self-admitted MS-13 gang member, Pueblo Police Chief Chris Noeller told reporters Wednesday. Pueblo County Police DepartmentThe police chief blamed lax state laws and policies for allowing the attack to occur.
“Our officers were ambushed and shot by a malicious person who should have been in jail, but wasn’t because of our soft on crime legislation and bonds,” said Noeller.
“Our officers ended this rampage the only way they could by shooting him and he is dead.”
The Pueblo, Colorado, police chief said the shooting could have been prevented if it wasn’t for Colorado’s “soft on crime policies. FOX 21 NewsHe added: “When we refuse as a state to hold low-level criminals accountable they become emboldened, violent crime goes up and incidents like this assault are the result.”
“I for one am sick of it. I’m sick of my officers taking these risks and being held to this kind of crime with no recourse and our community should be sick of it.”
Upon entering office, President Trump designated MS-13 as a terror organization and has sought to deport members of the Salvadoran gang back to El Salvador.
Mexico extradited an MS-13 boss on the FBI’s “ten most wanted” list to the US on Monday.
