Father of Arizona Convenience Store Victim Says Illegal Alien Murders Were ‘Entirely Avoidable’

Steve Ronnebeck, father of Grant Ronnebeck—a 21-year-old fatally shot while working at an Arizona convenience store—stated that deaths by illegal aliens are entirely avoidable.

“They could’ve been stopped. We could’ve done so much more,” Ronnebeck said at a White House ceremony on Monday honoring “angel families.”

The term “angel families” refers to relatives of individuals killed by someone who entered the U.S. illegally, according to the Trump administration.

Ronnebeck added: “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.”

He continued: “And now, today, we are finally going to see that somebody is going to remember all of our loved ones. They’re going to remember the names… And they’re going to remember what we’ve all been through.”

Ronnebeck was one of several family members speaking at the White House event, which also honored victims of illegal aliens.

The administration has positioned stricter border controls and immigration enforcement as responses to such incidents, claiming these measures prevent future criminal violence.

Critics argue that focusing on rare but severe cases justifies sweeping policies affecting millions of immigrants with no criminal record, deepening national divisions over public safety and immigration.

Grant Ronnebeck was murdered in 2015 at a QuikTrip store in Mesa. His killer, Apolinar Altamirano—an illegal alien who had been deported—died in prison last April after serving a 38-year sentence for his role in the killing.

At the time of the murder, Altamirano was reportedly on bail while awaiting deportation for a burglary conviction, according to Fox 10 Phoenix.

President Trump signed a proclamation designating February 22 as “National Angel Family Day” during the event. A candle was lit in memory of victims, and their names were read aloud, with military members singing “Amazing Grace.”

The ceremony also included remarks from family members thanking Trump for honoring their loved ones and securing the border.

Trump acknowledged the families’ suffering but criticized the press for its coverage of the issue.