The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas announced that a woman from Houston was fatally shot by FBI agents after allegedly threatening them with a machete, and she now faces federal charges.
Jennifer Jessel Perez Rodriguez, 28, was arrested and charged with assaulting a law enforcement officer due to an incident that took place on April 17.
According to the charges, FBI agents were driving on Anderson Road in an unmarked vehicle when Perez Rodriguez reportedly approached with a machete. She then allegedly began swinging the weapon and moved toward the agents’ vehicles.
When the agents activated the sirens after noticing her approaching, one agent got out of the car and instructed her to drop the machete, which she refused to do.
As Perez Rodriguez did not comply with the orders, the agents drew their weapons and opened fire until she was no longer considered a threat. She was subsequently taken to a hospital with gunshot wounds.
If convicted, Perez Rodriguez faces severe penalties, potentially including up to 20 years in federal prison and fines reaching $250,000.
Witnesses reported that she had been searching for someone and even mentioned that others had tried to grab the machete before she encountered the agents.
One observer recalled, “I think when the woman walked inside the store she probably had a bag with her machete.” After leaving, she appeared to be in distress as the agents were no longer in sight.
