Old North News

State Rep. Keith Kidwell (R-Chocowinity), a candidate for Speaker of the House, has called for decisive measures in response to recent incidents involving illegal immigrants, highlighting concerns over public safety and immigration policies.

The call to action comes in the wake of a series of shootings allegedly perpetrated by Carlos Roberto-Diaz, an 18-year-old who was recently arrested in connection with a string of random shootings that killed one and injured four others in Charlotte. 

Despite a deportation order issued in 2022, Roberto-Diaz remained in the country illegally prior to his arrest for the shooting, raising questions about immigration enforcement. 

[Carlos Roberto-Diaz / Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department]

Regarding Roberto-Diaz’s case and similar incidents, Kidwell reiterated his stance on immigration enforcement. 

"It's time we closed our borders and sent the criminals back," Kidwell told Old North News. "As Trump stated, they're not sending us their best and brightest. We're getting their criminals emptying out their jails, sending these people over here and wreaking havoc on our country."

CMPD announced the arrest of Roberto-Diaz alongside a 16-year-old accomplice in connection with a series of shootings across Charlotte's Metro and Steele Creek Divisions. 

The 16-year-old faces charges including 1st Degree Murder, with additional charges pending, while Roberto-Diaz, 18, is charged with 1st Degree Murder, five counts of Attempted Murder and other serious charges related to the shootings. 

The two teenage suspects, charged with first-degree murder, allegedly confessed to starting their rampage after attending a party and driving around the city shooting at random targets. 

The two told police they went “around shooting people” randomly after attending a party. 

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department expressed shock at the randomness of the violence, emphasizing the severity of the crime spree that resulted in multiple injuries and the tragic death of Mustaffa Muhammad.

“It’s one thing when we have a shooting spree between two rival gangs, neighborhood gangs, beefs, but this is random and just completely unusual,” Deputy Chief Tonya Arrington with CMPD told WJZY-TV Queen City News. 

Despite a deportation order issued after Roberto-Diaz and his father were intercepted at the U.S.-Mexico border in 2019, he was never removed from the country, with reasons including possible administrative lapses or prioritization issues by immigration authorities.

Kidwell emphasized the link between the Biden Administration’s “Open Border” immigration policies and rising crime rates. 

"We're seeing more and more crime here," he said. "Fentanyl is really the biggest problem. I talked to my sheriffs, and they're telling me that 85% of all crime is drug related."

The candidate for House Speaker criticized current immigration practices, particularly regarding enforcement and border security. 

Kidwell also highlighted recent gang-related violence.

"Elements from gangs is the thing," Kidwell said. "This is from perpetrators who are being allowed in by the current administration. It's something we've never seen in the history of the United States."

Kidwell also expressed frustration with the legislative process, noting challenges in implementing stricter immigration measures and addressing public safety concerns effectively. 

"We just can't seem to get enough traction in the General Assembly to do that," he said. "Which is actually one of the reasons I'm running for Speaker of the House."

In advocating for stricter immigration controls, Kidwell emphasized transparency and efficiency in legislative proceedings. 

"If you want to see change, if you want to see bills that actually make a difference, then you're going to want to vote for me," he said. "Because I'm going to make those types of changes."

Kidwell has served District 79 in the State House representing Beaufort and Craven counties since 2019 and gained attention for his legal challenges against Governor Roy Cooper's pandemic restrictions. 

The Roberto-Diaz case received a shoutout from LibsofTikTok on X. “This is Carlos Robert Diaz, an illegal from Honduras. He was arrested in NC for carrying out a random sh**ting spree which included 5 sh**tings that left one innocent person d*ad and many others injured. How many more innocent Americans have to d*e?!” LibsofTikTok said on X.