Investigation continues in Border Patrol shooting

Authorities are investigating a shooting in which a U.S. Border Patrol agent fired his service weapon at an oncoming vehicle, officials said

On Tuesday afternoon, a USBP agent fired approximately three gunshots at the driver of an older model red and gray Dodge Ram Charger who tried to run him over, said Cameron County Sheriff Omar Lucio. The vehicle, which was turned over to the sheriff’s department, had three bullet holes, one in the front and two on the side.

The shooting stemmed from a failed drug smuggling attempt and it’s a clear indicator of the increased aggressiveness of desperate smugglers, said USBP spokesman John Lopez.

The shooting took place when Border Patrol agents responded to a sighting of a man loading bundles into an SUV along the Rio Grande levee, Lucio added.

"Border Patrol agents patrolling the area between San Benito and Brownsville (along U.S. Highway 281) saw a vehicle coming from the river area at a high rate of speed," Lopez said. "Our agents moved to intercept and the vehicle turned around and headed back toward the river."

The truck headed down Garza Street and a Border Patrol agent on foot tried to flag down the truck’s driver, the USBP spokesman said.

"The vehicle headed straight for the agent and tried to run him over," Lopez said. "Fearing for his life, the agent drew his weapon and fired into the oncoming vehicle. At this point we don’t know if the driver was injured or not."

The unidentified man continued driving to the edge of the river where he got out of the truck and swam into Mexico, he said.

Inside the vehicle Border patrol agents found 757.5 pounds of marijuana, with a street value of more than $600,000, Lopez said.

The seizure is being investigated by the sheriffs department, while the shooting is being investigated by the FBI, Lopez said.

"We got in contact with our counterparts in Mexico and advised them to check local hospitals and clinics in Matamoros for a man with gunshot wounds," Lucio said. "Our information is that he didn’t seek medical help. We are still continuing our investigation."

The USBP agent was not hurt and is back on duty, Lopez said.

"Drug smugglers are becoming more desperate and aggressive toward our agents in an effort to recoup as much drugs as they can," Lopez said. "Our agents are trained for this and will continue to do their jobs accordingly."