Border agent strikes man

Police investigating video of SUV hitting member of Tohono O’odham Nation.

SELLS, Ariz. — The Border Patrol says it is investigating an incident involving an indigenous man who was recorded on video being struck by an agent’s vehicle.

The agency said Friday that its Tucson Sector had been made aware of the video taken Thursday on the Tohono O’odham Nation.

Paulo Remes, a resident of the Tohono O’odham Nation, told the Arizona Daily Star he ran onto the dirt road because he knew the agent would hit him. He did not elaborate.

The Border Patrol said in a statement that it’s fully cooperating with the Tohono O’odham Nation Police Department, which is investigating.

“We stress honor and integrity in every aspect of our mission. We do not tolerate misconduct on or off duty and will fully cooperate with all investigations of alleged unlawful conduct by our personnel,” the agency said.

Tohono O’odham Nation Chairman Edward D. Manuel called the video disturbing in a statement Friday.

Manuel didn’t identify Remes but said the man in the video was a 34-year-old member of the tribe.

He was treated at a healthcare facility for nonlife-threatening injuries, Manuel said.

Tohono O’odham Nation police are working with the FBI and the U.S. attorney’s office on the investigation.

“The safety and well-being of the general public is the Nation’s top priority, and the Nation’s leadership is monitoring this issue closely,” Manuel said.

The reservation is located along the border with Mexico. No further details were available.