Officials: RGC Border Patrol agent's weapon discharges, killing brother

Laredo police are investigating a fatal shooting involving a U.S. Border Patrol agent from Rio Grande City and the man’s brother.

Investigators said a single shot from Border Patrol Agent Michael Ramirez’s service handgun struck his brother, Christopher, in the back outside his family home in south central Laredo early Tuesday morning.

Emergency responders received a 9-1-1 call about 5 a.m. Tuesday from outside the house on the 1300 block of Eisenhower Drive, said Investigator Joe Baeza, a Laredo police spokesman. They arrived on the scene to find Michael Ramirez performing CPR on his brother.

Emergency crews rushed Christopher Ramirez, 18, to Laredo Medical Center, where he died shortly thereafter, Baeza said. No charges have been filed in the case and police continue to investigate the death.

Police questioned Michael Ramirez, 23, about the shooting and found that his service weapon was outside its holster when the fatal shot was fired, Baeza said. The Border Patrol agent was later released.

Investigators are still trying to determine exactly how the gun discharged.

Michael Ramirez told police he had just arrived at his family home in Laredo with a female companion from Rio Grande City and was outside the house with his brother, Baeza said.

Laredo police investigators are consulting with the Webb County District Attorney’s Office about whether any charges will be filed in the case.

"I still don’t have the ruling back from investigators whether to rule this as an accidental shooting," Baeza said. "Right now, they’re still in the preliminary phase."

Michael Ramirez has been placed on administrative leave for the time being, said Joe Treviño, a local Border Patrol spokesman. Ramirez is normally assigned to the agency’s Rio Grande City station.