Little Rock, Arkansas – Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders lauded the courageous actions of two women who intervened during a confrontation between an Arkansas State Police trooper and a non-compliant suspect. The altercation, which occurred last night, involved Angel Zapet-Alvarado, identified as an illegal immigrant from Guatemala, who resisted arrest after being pulled over for speeding.
Governor Sanders did not hold back in her remarks, criticizing national leadership for their role in what she describes as “the worst border crisis in American history.” She pointed directly at Vice President Kamala Harris and President Joe Biden, stating, “Joe Biden and Kamala Harris have created the worst border crisis in history and they must be held responsible.”
The incident began when the female trooper attempted to remove Zapet-Alvarado from his vehicle after he refused to comply. During this struggle, a female motorist who witnessed the situation bravely stopped her car to assist the trooper. The governor hailed both women as heroes for their decisive actions that led to the suspect’s arrest, emphasizing their role in maintaining community safety.
Col. Mike Hagar, expressing his concern and gratitude, remarked, “I pray every day for the safety of our Troopers as they sacrifice their own safety for the sake of our innocent civilians. I thank God today that He kept our Trooper alive and that He placed an unbelievably brave civilian by her side during her time of need.” He also voiced his frustration and alarm over the suspect’s status as an undocumented immigrant, underlining the additional layer of lawlessness it brought to the incident.
After the confrontation, Zapet-Alvarado was taken to Mercy Hospital Northwest Arkansas for treatment before being released into law enforcement custody. He is currently held at the Benton County Sheriff’s Office Detention Center, facing charges of Second-Degree Battery with additional charges pending and a hold for Homeland Security Investigation (HSI).
The trooper involved sustained non-life-threatening injuries during the assault and received medical treatment. The Arkansas State Police’s Criminal Investigation Division is conducting a thorough investigation into the incident to ensure all aspects are closely examined.
