An illegal immigrant from Mexico was fatally shot to death in a return fire following his gun attack on a South Carolina deputy in the chest during an early-morning traffic stop.

Floriberto Perez-Nieto, who had aprior deportation and felony illegal re-entry conviction, according to the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS), had fired gunshots in Johns Island sometime past 9 pm when a resident phoned the Charleston County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) deputies to report the violence.

However, the deputies were not able to track down the suspect at the time until another call from the same person at 3 am who reported Perez-Nieto's return to the area.

Responding promptly to the call, the deputies identified Perez-Nieto's vehicle in the area and tried to apprehend him. But in an attempt to avoid arrest, Perez-Nieto shot at an unnamed deputy before being stopped by other deputies with multiple gunshots at him, after which he was pronounced dead at the hospital, according to authorities.

Speaking with Fox News Digital, DHS assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin commented: 'This criminal illegal alien illegally obtained a firearm and nearly killed a law enforcement officer.'

She added, 'Thankfully, the officer's body armor saved his life. There could have been quite a different, tragic outcome for this officer and his family.'

According to the DHS, Perez-Nieto was first arrested for illegally entering the US from Mexico at an unspecified date and location, and without inspection from immigration authorities. However, upon later inspection, he was deported on 20 February 2019 and charged with a felony illegal re-entry conviction when caught a second time for bypassing the border control at an unknown time and date.

Officials remain uncertain about his acquisition of a firearm, considering his illegal status, and the CCSO professional standards division is said to follow up with an internal investigation related to the shooting.

For now, the deputies involved in the scene have been placed on paid leave until further review is made, as per an update from the sheriff's office.

Illegal immigration has been a serious federal offence in the US, with a first offence typically handled as a misdemeanour that attracts a six-month jail term.

Source: International Business Times UK