MCALLEN, Texas — A U.S. Border Patrol agent shot and killed a drug trafficker and likely cartel member who fired at authorities during a failed drug smuggling attempt near the Texas border.
The shooting took place in the Falcon Dam area when U.S. Border Patrol agents tried to arrest a group of five drug smugglers, according to information released to Breitbart Texas by the Starr County Sheriff’s Office.
Agents had arrested four smugglers and were pursuing a fifth one when the shootout began. Preliminary information points to the smuggler pulling out a Glock 9mm handgun and firing at one of the agents. The agent fired back, injuring the smuggler who was then rushed to the Starr County hospital where he later died.
The RGV Sector of the U.S. Border Patrol provided Breitbart Texas with a prepared statement about the shooting:
On January 21, 2015, at approximately 2 a.m., U.S. Border Patrol agents from Rio Grande City Station responded to drug smuggling activity near the small community of Chapeño, Texas, west of Roma. As the agents secured the narcotics load, one agent searching the area for smugglers came under fire. The agent returned fire striking one subject. The FBI, Starr County Sheriff’s Office, with the assistance of the DPS Texas Rangers are investigating the incident. Rio Grande Valley Sector is fully cooperating with the investigation.
CBP strongly encourages concerned citizens to call the U.S. Border Patrol and/or local law enforcement authorities if they witness or suspect illegal activity.
Securing our nation’s borders can be dangerous. Interdicting narcotics and deterring and apprehending individuals illegally entering the United States requires highly-trained, law enforcement personnel.
Shortly after the shooting, members of the National Border Patrol Council Local 3307 also issued a statement. “Protecting our borders is a job our members do well; getting home safe is a priority.”
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