Illegal migrant sought in slaying near Buckeye

An illegal immigrant suspected in a homicide was the subject of a large manhunt Sunday in rural Maricopa County.

Orlando Camillo-Bello, 35, is accused of shooting to death a fellow Mexican about 20 miles south of Buckeye on Saturday night, spokeswoman Deputy Lindsey Smith said.

Since the incident, the sheriff’s office has been searching for Camillo-Bello with helicopters, its SWAT and search and rescue teams, and K-9 units.

Assisting in the manhunt are the Arizona departments of public safety and corrections, Smith said.

Camillo-Bello was last seen carrying two guns while wearing a tan shirt, blue jeans and sandals. One sandal was found near the intersection Old U.S. 80 and Woods Road, and a tracking dog picked up a strong scent there.

Because Camillo-Bello is armed and has no connections to the area, Smith said “He has nothing to lose.”

The incident began about 7 p.m. Saturday, Smith said, when Camillo-Bello is suspected of shooting a man in the face. He then forced another man at gunpoint to drive him away.

Smith said Camillo-Bello told his hostage to get him back to Mexico.

But Camillo-Bello soon fled on foot into the farm fields of western Maricopa County.

The sandal was found after authorities received a tip from witnesses employed as farm workers in the area, Smith said.

Camillo-Bello has been deported to Mexico once before, by federal officials in California, Smith said.