2 border agents attacked in separate incidents

Two Yuma Sector Border Patrol agents escaped injury in separate attacks that happened just days apart in which rocks were thrown over the fence along the U.S.-Mexico border near San Luis.

“Both incidents happened on the east side of the city of San Luis, on different days, just a few miles apart,” said agent Justin Kallinger, of the Yuma Sector Public Affairs Office. “Both agents were patrolling the fence at the time of each of the incidents.”

Kallinger said the first incident happened on Sunday night as an agent was looking for signs of illegal entry along the fence near Avenue H.

As the agent was slowly driving along the fence, Kallinger said his vehicle was suddenly struck by multiple rocks.

“The rocks hit the pickup in the center of the hood, making about a foot-long dent that was about eight inches wide,” Kalinger said. “The rocks that were found afterwards were about the size of a pen in length and as big as a water bottle.”

The agent was able to move away from the area without injury.

Then on Tuesday, Kallinger said another agent was on patrol when he noticed rocks being thrown over the border fence near Avenue D.

Because the agent saw the rocks coming over the fence he was able to move a safe distance away without being injured or any damage being done to the vehicle.

Kallinger explained that these type of assaults typically occur in urban areas where the Border Patrol has fencing and added agents in the areas.

“It happens,” said Kallinger, of the assaults. “It is not common, but it is also not uncommon.”

There was a similar attack in March, also at Avenue H, when an agent was on foot tracking footprints when he was suddenly attacked with multiple rocks being thrown over the fence.

The agent was able to get back into his patrol vehicle and leave the area, but not before a rock hit and cracked the front windshield of the vehicle.