Immigrants Charged with Shooting at Youth Baseball Game in Houston Had Legal Status under Biden Administration
Two immigrants granted U.S. legal status under the Biden administration are facing serious charges for allegedly shooting at a youth baseball game in the Houston area. According to a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) statement, Mustafa Mohammad Matalgah, a 27-year-old from Jordan, and Ahmad Mawed, a 21-year-old from Lebanon, are being charged with deadly conduct with firearms after allegedly firing in the direction of a baseball field during a prayer before a game in Katy, Texas. The incident reportedly occurred on Sunday and resulted in one coach being injured in the shoulder, though he was hospitalized and later released. Both individuals are being held on $100,000 bail.
Matalgah was granted U.S. citizenship by the Biden administration on August 1, 2023, despite having prior arrests for drug possession. Meanwhile, Mawed received lawful permanent resident status through an IR-2 visa in June 2021, which is granted to children of U.S. citizens. DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin criticized the Biden administration for not properly vetting immigrants, especially from high-threat nations, calling the incident a failure to protect American communities.
The shooting took place at Ameripark youth baseball field in Katy, Texas, where three individuals allegedly fired weapons from a nearby pasture. Video footage of the incident shows young players running for cover as bullets flew past them, while one adult was struck. The Houston Warriors founder, Andy Baize, revealed that the injured coach, a 27-year-old man, attempted to shield children from the bullets. The sheriff’s office said the incident has been attributed to ‘recreational shooting on a nearby property,’ but local police were immediately alerted to ‘possible illegal hunting.’ A third suspect, Mahmood Abdelsalam Rababah, is also being charged in connection with the shooting.
The incident highlights concerns about immigration policies and national security, with some officials attributing the tragedy to lapses in the vetting process under the current administration. The State Department under Donald Trump had emphasized stringent vetting during the visa application process, stating it is a national security decision to ensure applicants do not pose a threat to Americans and their interests. Fox News Digital has reached out to a Biden spokesperson for comment but has yet to receive a response.