A tragic incident occurred near the Otay Mesa Port of Entry in San Diego, CA, where a Colombian man died after he fell from the border barrier. The event, which took place last Friday, at roughly 5:42 a.m., was captured by a National Guardsman monitoring a Border Patrol Remote Video Surveillance System, as reported by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
According to the surveillance footage, a group of suspected noncitizens were attempting to enter the U.S. by scaling the border's barriers just west of the port. Amid their journey, the group dispersed, with one member returning to Mexico and three successfully crossing north. Two men were observed attempting to descend the north side of the secondary barrier, which stands at approximately 30 feet. Then, one of the men fell to the ground, as reported by CBP.
The first Border Patrol agent to arrive, driving a marked vehicle, found the Colombian man conscious but in pain. A makeshift ladder used by the men to scale the barrier was subsequently recovered. The agent on the scene immediately radioed for emergency medical services and waited for additional support and emergency services to arrive after gaining access to the north side of the barrier where the man had landed.
While the injured man was waiting, he became unresponsive just as the fire department and EMS personnel were about to reach him. It was confirmed at 6:25 a.m. that the individual had succumbed to his injuries. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection states that "at approximately 6:50 a.m., San Diego Police Department personnel arrived on scene" followed by a San Diego County Medical Examiner investigator later in the morning.
An autopsy was conducted last Saturday, and the incident remains under review by CBP’s Office of Professional Responsibility. The Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General has also been notified of the tragic circumstances surrounding the man's death.
