A U.S. Border Patrol agent was involved in a fatal shooting of a Mexican national during an enforcement operation near Rio Grande City, Texas, according to an official release. During the afternoon on Thursday, Special Operations agents were observing a group dressed in camouflage when the incident unfolded, leading to the death of a 31-year-old man.
The agents, who were a part of the Rio Grande Valley Sector Special Operations Detachment, noticed several individuals attempting to escape back to Mexico after being approached. In the chase that ensued, one agent found himself in a dangerous altercation with one of the individuals, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reported. The situation escalated rapidly, leading the agent to broadcast a distress call at 4:18 p.m., stating he was, "in a fight" and needed assistance.
According to the statement from CBP, within a span of two minutes, the conflict reached a lethal conclusion as the agent discharged his firearm, resulting in three gunshot wounds to the Mexican national. Fellow agents quickly converged on the scene, calling for emergency services and attempting life-saving measures until EMS could take over.
Despite these efforts, the man was declared deceased shortly after his arrival at Starr County Hospital. An autopsy has been ordered to gain further insight into the exact cause of death, the findings of which will be handed over to the CBP Office of Professional Responsibility. Both the Texas Department of Public Safety – Ranger Division and CBP OPR are investigating the encounter, while the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General has also been notified.
