Condolences for family of slain ICE agent

Local and federal officials today are expressing their condolences to the family of ICE Agent Jaime Jorge Zapata, who was killed Tuesday in what is believed to be an attack by the Zetas drug cartel.

The Brownsville native had been working temporarily in Mexico City, officials said.

Zapata, 32, graduated from the University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College in 2005, where he received an associate degree in Applied Science and a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice.

He also attended Hanna High School.

Zapata, on assignment to the ICE attache office in Mexico City from his post in Laredo, died Tuesday when gunmen attacked the agents' blue Suburban vehicle as they drove through the northern state of San Luis Potosi.

The second agent is Victor Avila, according to U.S. officials who weren't authorized to speak on the case. He was shot twice in the leg and transported back to the United States, where he is in stable condition, according to an ICE statement Wednesday.

The agents were driving a four-lane, federal highway from Mexico City to Monterrey when they were stopped at what may have appeared to be a military checkpoint, according to one Mexican official, who was not authorized to speak publicly about the case. Mexican military officers said they had no checkpoints in the area.

After they stopped, someone opened fire on them, an official said.

Mayor Speaks Out

According to Mayor Pat M. Ahumada Jr., Zapata's body will be arriving in the U.S. tomorrow.

“My sincere condolences to the entire family of Jaime Zapata,” the mayor said.

“I am angered by this and frustrated that the Mexican government is not providing security to our agents while we are trying to help them. Criminals have the firepower in Mexico,” Ahumada said.

He also called on the U.S. government to provide Mexico with helicopters so that rural areas and roadways can be patrolled. “What I’m asking is that Mexico do a better job of patrolling,” Ahumada said.

UTB-TSC reaction

"Our prayers go to the family and friends of Jaime Zapata, a courageous and noble young man whose devoted service and love for his country inspires us all," UTB-TSC President Juliet Garcia said in a statement.

Authorities said Zapata and fellow agent Victor Avila were driving in the state of San Luis Potosí when they were chased along Highway 57, a federal artery that connects with Monterrey, and came upon a drug cartel checkpoint.

After they stopped, an agent inside the armored Chevrolet Suburban rolled down his window and displayed his U.S. identification.

The gunman, suspected to be a Zeta, fired several shots from his assault weapon into the driver’s abdomen. Zapata, who was behind the wheel, was later pronounced dead.

Brownville Police reaction

Brownsville Police Chief Carlos Garcia extended his condolences to ICE and to the victim’s family. "We are very saddened that one of our fellow law enforcement officers was killed in the line of duty," Garcia said.

"We are offering our services to ICE officials and the family to do whatever we can do to make it easier on the family; whatever we can do as a city to support the family in this very difficult situation," Garcia said.

The police department has made its presence known by the victim’s house, providing security to the area. "It is just a courtesy. There have been no threats against the family," Garcia said.

Garcia declined to comment when asked if other members of the victim’s family are in law enforcement. "That is not my place," Garcia said of providing information regarding the victim.

Garcia said that Brownsville police officers stopped going to Mexico since April or May of last year. "And we are not crossing," Garcia said.

County reaction

County Judge Carlos Cascos called for swift action from the Mexican government and the U.S. government.

"Throwing money at the problem is not the answer. I think it has to be more than that," Cascos said.

Cascos said that it is going to require a strong presence of law enforcement: "At the request of the Mexican government, it is going to require a stronger presence (of U.S. law enforcement in Mexico) to help the Mexican government address these criminals."

The county judge said that the killing and injury of the ICE agents, "demonstrates that these drug cartels, these Zetas, have no remorse at all. They are willing to kill anyone including our law enforcement."

Cascos also extended his condolences, prayers and thoughts to the family of the victim.

"I ask everyone to pause for a moment of silence every day until these criminals are caught," Cascos said.

Congressional and Senate reaction

In a prepared statement, U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, said he was saddened to hear the agents had been shot in Mexico and of Zapata’s death.

"My deepest sympathies go out to the agents, their families and the law enforcement community at large and along the border."

"While all facts are not yet clear, any attack on American law enforcement in the line of duty in an outrage and unconscionable," Cuellar said. "We must work with the Mexican government to prosecute those responsible to the full extent of the law, while continuing to support institutions that combat criminal elements."

U.S. Rep. Ruben Hinojosa also extended his condolences to the families of the victim and the injured.

"I immediately want to say that my prayers are with the families of the victims of this terrible attack. We are waiting to hear from federal officials on how the investigation is going," Hinojosa said.

"They, as we all do, want to bring these criminals to justice. It is evident that our U.S. federal agents have been working in Mexico to help stop the shared threat we face. We must do what we can but we cannot let this undermine our relationship with Mexico, in fact we must keep working together to end this crime wave," he added.

U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, the ranking member on the Senate Judiciary Committee’s Immigration, Refugees and Border Security subcommittee, today issued the following statement regarding the attack on two U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Mexico yesterday:

“Yesterday's brazen attack on two U.S. ICE agents in Mexico is an alarming reminder that Americans are not immune to the escalating violence south of our border. As Secretary Napolitano has said, we count an attack on an ICE agent as an attack on all who serve this country and put their lives on the line for our security. I call on the Administration to respond accordingly and ensure justice is swiftly served.

“I send my sincere condolences to family of Mr. Zapata and offer prayers for a speedy recovery for his partner who was wounded in this attack.”

Lawmaker reaction

State Rep. Eddie Lucio III extended condolences and prayers to the family.

"I know that what I may say will not change the course of this week's events or fill the loss you may feel. But please do know that I join you in your grief," Lucio III said in a written statement.

"My heart is full of gratitude and appreciation for this courageous and honorable young man; and, his contribution to our local Brownsville community as well as his commitment to his country. His work with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency was an invaluable service," he said.

He added: "As in all events as tragic as this, it is not uncommon to seek answers and to demand explanations. Please rest assured that Jaime's passing will not be so quickly overlooked. However, let us pause and take a moment to remember his accomplishments and his spirit. May he rest in peace and continue to watch lovingly over those close to him."