Illegal alien who killed Florida grandma in Publix parking lot had TPS status under Biden

An illegal Venezuelan migrant charged with killing an 82-year-old Florida grandmother in a Publix parking lot has been revealed to have been allowed in under the Biden administration with Temporary Protected Status (TPS), according to the Department of Homeland Security. 

On May 17, Carlos Suarez Contreras allegedly backed his Toyota 4Runner into Deborah Murphy as she walked through a crosswalk outside a Publix supermarket in Panama City Beach. Authorities say he continued reversing after striking the retired teacher and grandmother, killing her.

"A BIDEN-RELEASED illegal alien and his passenger, who was granted TPS by the Biden Administration, RAN OVER and KILLED a Florida grandmother. This senseless tragedy was 100% PREVENTABLE because these illegal aliens should have NEVER been in our country," DHS said. 

Both Suarez Contreras and his front-seat passenger, Luis Sanabria Perez, were determined to be in the United States illegally. Bay County deputies arrested the pair the same day. ICE detained Suarez Contreras the following day and requested that Florida officials transfer him to federal custody for removal if he is released from the local charges.

"This senseless tragedy was 100% preventable because these illegal aliens should have NEVER been in the country. One death at the hands of an illegal alien is one too many," said Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis. "Thanks to our law enforcement partners at the federal and local levels, the illegal alien responsible for this tragic death will now face justice for his crimes. ICE has lodged a detainer asking officials in Florida to turn this illegal alien over to ICE custody so that he can be removed from our country. Meanwhile, the illegal alien passenger, who was granted Temporary Protected Status (TPS) by the Biden administration, has since been removed from the country."

According to DHS, Suarez Contreras the charged passenger was previously encountered by Border Patrol in Blythe, California, in 2021 and was later released into the United States. Sanabria Perez entered the country on a temporary visitor visa, overstayed his authorized stay, and was later granted Temporary Protected Status (TPS) under the Biden administration. He was deported on June 8, 2026.

Murphy's family is resolved to seek justice for the passing of their loved one.

"We’re determined to find justice and see Suarez-Contreras held accountable for his reckless actions," Murphy's daughters, Beth Schulz and Amy Edge, told Fox News "She touched so many lives as an amazing friend, teacher, mother and grandmother."