A small-town traffic stop turned into a deadly confrontation when an illegal immigrant opened fire on a Tennessee Highway Patrol officer.

The Knox County District Attorney General’s Office announced Thursday that Eugenio Abraham Solis-Klarks, 31, was convicted of first-degree attempted murder and sentenced to 18 years in prison without the possibility of parole after a Jan. 12 officer-involved shooting.

A source familiar with the matter previously confirmed to Fox News Digital Solis-Klarks was living illegally in the United States from Guatemala.

Only Dubroc was able to safely change lanes and continue to pursue Solis-Klarks’ vehicle, the department said. The Guatemalan migrant lost control of his vehicle, and Dubroc pulled up next to him and ordered him to show his hands, the department said.

“Solis-Klarks retrieved an assault rifle from his vehicle and aimed it at Trp. Dubroc,” authorities said. “Tpr. Dubroc and Solis-Klarks exchanged gunfire over the hoods of the vehicles before each retreated around their vehicles.”

As Solis-Klarks ran toward the interstate entrance ramp, where troopers Snyder and Hasse were arriving, Tpr. Dubroc fired again, striking Solis-Klarks in the legs. Troopers then took him into custody and began providing medical treatment. No troopers were injured.

“This defendant has been held accountable because of the professionalism of the Tennessee Highway Patrol and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation,” DA Charme Allen said Thursday.

Drone view of the Tennessee State Capitol. (Joe Sohm/Visions of America/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

Tennessee is one of dozens of states that has seen increases in crime by illegal immigrants in recent years. 

Under a state law passed in 2024, Tennessee law enforcement agencies are required to honor ICE detainer requests. In February 2024, the Nashville Banner reports, ICE made 33 detainer requests in Nashville, resulting in 11 individuals being taken into custody. By the following month, requests increased to 75, with 42 individuals detained.

It was immediately unclear if Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is pursuing the deportation of Solis-Klarks. Fox News Digital has reached out to ICE for comment.

Fox News Digital’s Audrey Conklin contributed to this report.