2 killed in Calif. attack were immigrant smugglers

March 17, 2010 | AP

Authorities say two men killed in a Southern California home last week were smuggling illegal immigrants and got into a fight over profits from their human cargo.

Sheriff's Department officials say 20-year-old Carmelo Garcia-Palacio and 30-year-old Miguel Martinez-Altanerano were shot last Thursday in the Riverside County city of Moreno Valley.

Two other people were wounded. One walked to a store nearly two miles away to get help. Witnesses say the man claimed he was shot five times during an argument after a smuggler demanded $3,700 from him or his family.

Sgt. Dean Spivacke says as many as 10 immigrants were being held in the house. It's unclear if the two men shot each other or were hit by other smugglers.

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