Angel Dad Calls for Action After Preventable Death of Son by Illegal Alien

Steve Ronnebeck demands accountability for his son Grant's murder by an undocumented immigrant with a criminal history.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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Steve Ronnebeck, an "Angel Dad" whose son Grant was killed by an illegal immigrant in 2015, spoke at a White House ceremony and called for more to be done to prevent such tragedies. Ronnebeck said his son's death was "preventable" and criticized the Biden administration for not doing enough to stop criminals from entering the country illegally.

Why it matters

The case highlights the ongoing debate over immigration policy and border security, with some arguing that stronger enforcement could have prevented Grant Ronnebeck's death. It also sheds light on the personal toll that such incidents can take on families who have lost loved ones to crimes committed by undocumented immigrants.

The details

In 2015, Grant Ronnebeck was working as a cashier at a convenience store in Mesa, Arizona when Apolinar Altamirano, an illegal immigrant from Mexico, shot and killed him after Ronnebeck asked him to pay for a pack of cigarettes. Altamirano had been living in the U.S. for over 20 years at the time of the murder. He was later convicted and sentenced to less than 40 years in prison, but died in custody last year.

  • On January 22, 2015, Grant Ronnebeck was killed by Apolinar Altamirano.
  • In 2022, Altamirano pleaded guilty to murdering Grant Ronnebeck.
  • Altamirano died in prison last year.

The players

Steve Ronnebeck

The father of Grant Ronnebeck, who was killed by an illegal immigrant in 2015.

Apolinar Altamirano

The illegal immigrant from Mexico who shot and killed Grant Ronnebeck in 2015 after being in the U.S. for over 20 years.

Grant Ronnebeck

The 21-year-old cashier who was murdered by Apolinar Altamirano in 2015 while working at a convenience store in Mesa, Arizona.

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What they’re saying

“All these deaths at the hands of illegal immigrants are preventable. They could've been stopped, we could've done so much more, unfortunately... [under President Joe Biden], somebody took their foot off the brakes and put their foot on the accelerator to let these people into our country and it wasn't just regular people; it was criminals, murderers, killers, rapists.”

— Steve Ronnebeck, Angel Dad

What’s next

The Biden administration has faced criticism from some for its immigration policies, and this case is likely to fuel further debate over border security and enforcement. It remains to be seen if any policy changes will result from Ronnebeck's calls for action.

The takeaway

This tragic case highlights the human toll that can result from gaps in immigration enforcement, and underscores the need for policymakers to carefully balance security concerns with compassion for immigrant communities. Ultimately, the goal should be to prevent such senseless deaths while upholding American values of fairness and justice.