Border agent kills man
Armed man suspected of illegal crossing
Shootout occurred while agents were pursuing suspected illegal crosser
SUNLAND PARK — A U.S. Border Patrol agent shot and killed an armed man agents were pursuing during a possible illegal border crossing Monday morning, law enforcement authorities confirmed.
Border Patrol said the agent exchanged gunfire with the man after encountering him and three other people.
“During the encounter, the subject produced a firearm and shot at the agent. The agent returned fire striking the subject,” Border Patrol said in a news release. No agents were injured during the shootout.
The exchange of gunfire happened at 6 a.m. on McNutt Road, a busy roadway that cuts through Sunland Park and includes a section that runs parallel to the border fence.
The shooting happened when two Border Patrol agents were pursuing the suspect, according to New Mexico State Police, which is investigating the incident.
“At some point during the foot pursuit, the suspect fired a weapon at the two Border Patrol agents,” according to a news release from State Police.
The agents “rendered aid” to the wounded man until emergency medical personnel arrived and took the person to a hospital, where he
was later pronounced dead, according to the Border Patrol. State Police Investigations Bureau agents are working to identify the dead man.
“Until positive identification is made and the suspect’s family is properly notified, his identity will not be released,” according to State Police.
The name of the Border Patrol agent involved is not being released until “interviews are completed,” according to investigators. It’s standard procedure to place a Border Patrol agent involved in a shooting on administrative duty during an investigation.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is supporting that investigation, according to the Border Patrol. CBP’s Office of Professional Responsibility will also conduct an internal investigation.
There were 15 Border Patrol use-of-force incidents involving firearms in fiscal year 2018, according to the most recent figures available from CBP.
The three other people in the group encountered by the agents before the shooting Monday morning are in custody, according to the Border Patrol.
McNutt Road remained closed to traffic most of the day as investigators gathered evidence, forcing businesses in the area to shut down.