Shots reportedly fired at security workers at border
August 30, 2007 - 7:57AM
Gunshots were reportedly fired from Mexico at private U.S. security contractors guarding equipment being used to build the border fence Wednesday morning, according to a news release from the U.S. Border Patrol.

At about 9:45 a.m. a security officer from Pinkerton Government Services notified U.S. Customs and Border Protection Border Patrol agents that 12 -15 gunshots were heard while he and two other guards were near the border about 30 miles south of Wellton.

Immediately after the shots rang out, the guards spotted a white four-door sedan driving slowly westbound along Mexican Highway 2.

By 9:50 a.m., a CBP Air and Marine Operations Yuma Branch helicopter responded to the area and spotted the vehicle driving off road south of a military checkpoint in Mexico.

Mexican authorities were notified of the incident. No one was injured, according to the release.

This marks the second time in a week that violence with guns has been directed toward the United States from Mexico, according to the release.

On Aug. 23, a CBP helicopter pilot was assisting ground agents after a suspected smuggling vehicle got stuck while trying to escape into Mexico near the Colorado River. While hovering above the vehicle the pilot, utilizing the helicopter’s forward-looking infrared system, saw an occupant emerge from the vehicle and point a rifle in his direction. The pilot immediately maneuvered the aircraft away from the area. No gunshots were reported from either the pilot or agents on the ground.

In other Border Patrol activity Wednesday, agents from the Yuma Sector intercepted a group of individuals suspected of conducting surveillance operations in support of smuggling activities.

While conducting aerial surveillance in the sector’s east desert at about 10 a.m., a pilot alerted agents assigned to the sector’s Wellton station of the presence of foot sign from six individuals. The pilot later notified agents that he had located the group near the Cabeza Prieta mountain range about 60 miles southeast of Wellton.

Agents from Camp Desert Grip responded and apprehended the six individuals, who were determined to be Mexican nationals illegally in the United States.

During the apprehension, agents discovered the individuals were carrying camouflage backpacks containing binoculars, a one-way radio, a cellular phone and spare battery, a solar-powered battery charger, a compass and provisions for approximately one week. One of the subjects was also carrying a small amount of marijuana.

The group was transported to the Wellton station for further questioning and processing.

http://www.yumasun.com/articles/border_ ... hicle.html