Douglas, Arizona is in shock over the killing of rancher Robert Krentz by a suspected illegal immigrant. The Arizona region has turned into a hotbed for illicit human trafficking and the drug trade due to strict enforcement conducted in other border states. The murder of Krentz could be the catalyst for sweeping changes in the handling of border security and immigration.

Krentz was known as a kindly soul who helped those in trouble while crossing the border. Although he did not actively encourage or help people cross the border, he did offer assistance to those he encountered on his property on a purely humanitarian basis. The rancher had been travelling in his all-terrain vehicle and working on his property last week when the incident occurred. Krentz had been in contact with his brother at the time over the radio and was heard to say the words “illegal alien” and “hurt”. Nothing untoward was suspected by the brother at the time as he assumed that Krentz was helping someone who was crossing the ranch.

However, as the rancher failed to show up at noon at the stipulated meeting point the brother first raised the alarm with the family who helped search for Krentz and then informed the authorities. Krentz’s body was later spotted by a helicopter close to midnight. The rancher had been shot dead and his dog, too, had been shot although not fatally. A set of tracks from the scene of the crime led authorities for 20 miles before it crossed over the Mexican border. As yet, no motive is known for the killing.