A stated member of the MS-13 gang with a significant criminal record has been identified as the individual behind the “ambush” and shooting of three police officers in Pueblo, Colorado on Tuesday night, law enforcement officials revealed.

And the police chief blasted “soft on crime” policies that allowed the gangbanger to roam free despite 14 prior felony arrests.

Billy Soto, who was released on bond for three felonies and was being sought for an attempted murder case at a local apartment complex the previous month, unleashed 80 rounds of gunfire from a rifle at local police officers, as stated by Pueblo Police Chief Chris Noeller during a press briefing on Wednesday.

The officers now face “a long road to recovery,” said Noeller.

Soto, 34, was shot and killed when cops returned fire.

The police chief blamed lax state laws and policies for allowing the attack to occur.

“Our officers were unexpectedly attacked and shot by a malevolent individual who should have been incarcerated, but was not due to lenient legislation and bail practices,” Noeller expressed.

“Our officers ended this rampage the only way they could by shooting him and he is dead.”

He added: “When we refuse as a state to hold low-level criminals accountable they become emboldened, violent crime goes up and incidents like this assault are the result.”

“I for one am sick of it. I’m sick of my officers taking these risks and being held to this kind of crime with no recourse and our community should be sick of it.”

Upon entering office, President Trump designated MS-13 as a terror organization and has sought to deport members of the Salvadoran gang back to El Salvador.

Mexico extradited an MS-13 boss on the FBI’s “ten most wanted” list to the US on Monday.