Thread: Shooting of teen by border patrol agent was justif.(updated)

Shooting of teen by border patrol agent was 'justified,' lawyer says

By Daniel Borunda \ El Paso Times
Posted: 01/26/2011 12:00:00 AM MST

The lawyer for a U.S. Border Patrol agent who shot and killed a Juárez teenager last summer spoke out for the first time Tuesday, saying his client was defending himself.

The deadly shooting of 15-year-old Sergio Adrian Hernandez Güereca on the concrete banks of the Rio Grande near the Paso del Norte Bridge garnered international attention.

The agent's name has not been released by the government, and his lawyer, Randolph J. Ortega, declined to name him until his identity is revealed by the government.

"The incident, although unfortunate, was justified," Ortega said in a statement. "I am confident when all the facts and circumstances surrounding this case are revealed, my client will be vindicated."

The statement was in response after Hernandez's family last week filed a federal lawsuit against the U.S. government, including the Department of Homeland Security and the Border Patrol.

The lawsuit accuses the agent of excessive force. It claims Hernandez was playing on the mostly dry river bed and was defenseless, unarmed and standing in Mexico when shot.

Ortega, however, said the teenager had a history of working as a "coyote" guiding migrants across the El Paso-Juárez border and was trying to "protect his cargo by using deadly force against an agent of the United States."

A cell phone video showed the agent rode up on a bicycle and was attempting to detain a group before firing. Ortega said rocks were being thrown at the agent, who was on the

U.S. side of the river.
"In response, my client issued verbal warnings which were ignored and the utilization of rocks as deadly weapons continued," Ortega said. "Left with no alternative, in defense of his person, my client discharged his weapon, striking the deceased."

Ortega added the agent has no disciplinary history. The agent was placed on administrative duty after the shooting but later returned to his patrol duties.

Daniel Borunda may be reached at dborunda@elpasotimes.com;546-6102.

http://www.elpasotimes.com/news/ci_17198413

If the 15 year old would have been where he should have been, he would still be a live...End of story.

When a person looks for trouble, they will soon find what they seek!

"Ortega added the agent has no disciplinary history. The agent was placed on administrative duty after the shooting but later returned to his patrol duties."

Agent was investigated, interrogated, and psychiatrist evaluated.
So glad the U.S. Border Patrol agent is back on the job protecting us again.
Excellent.

Of course the agent was justified. Many times this week our local news has profiled and interviewed the parents of the kid. They of course claim that he was there under the bridge "working". Yeah, I guess if you call smuggling people across the river as "working".
I heard his father also say that they weren't interested in financial gain from the lawsuit, they are interested in "justice". What BS. Their lawyer contradicted those statements by saying that the kid's family needed to be compensated.

It appears to me, we Americans are just sitting back and allowing our Country to be ruled by foreigners from all other nations, but the most trying to control the U.S. are Mexico citizens. Those people have arrived here illegally but, they want to change our laws and tell us citizens what they will and will not do, I think they want to turn this Country into another Mexico, which is their greatest intention.

Originally Posted by Pisces_2010

It appears to me, we Americans are just sitting back and allowing our Country to be ruled by foreigners from all other nations, but the most trying to control the U.S. are Mexico citizens. Those people have arrived here illegally but, they want to change our laws and tell us citizens what they will and will not do, I think they want to turn this Country into another Mexico, which is their greatest intention.

I keep hearing from friends I talk to while a couple are taking a minor stand most are just saying theirs nothing we can do and its up to the government. That we as people are powerless and they just rather ignore it hoping it goes away and someone else fixes it.

Thats the main problem with our country. The American People as a whole have become fat and lazy and refuse to take a stand for their country and for whats right. Heck, many friends I have don't even vote as they say they its so hopeless and some saying the outcome is already decided before they even vote.

Originally Posted by ReformUSA2012

Originally Posted by Pisces_2010

It appears to me, we Americans are just sitting back and allowing our Country to be ruled by foreigners from all other nations, but the most trying to control the U.S. are Mexico citizens. Those people have arrived here illegally but, they want to change our laws and tell us citizens what they will and will not do, I think they want to turn this Country into another Mexico, which is their greatest intention.

I keep hearing from friends I talk to while a couple are taking a minor stand most are just saying theirs nothing we can do and its up to the government. That we as people are powerless and they just rather ignore it hoping it goes away and someone else fixes it.

Thats the main problem with our country. The American People as a whole have become fat and lazy and refuse to take a stand for their country and for whats right. Heck, many friends I have don't even vote as they say they its so hopeless and some saying the outcome is already decided before they even vote.

If people think they can't make a difference, they are wrong. They can make a difference if they are willing to stand up and INSIST ON CHANGE. It is all about what people believe they can do. Those that say they can't are walking down the path of defeat. "Can't" is the cousin of "Won't".

US agent named in suit over Mexican teen death


Associated Press

Published Friday, Jun. 10, 2011



EL PASO, Texas -- The family of a 15-year-old Mexican boy fatally shot by a U.S. Border Patrol agent is now naming the officer as part of its lawsuit against the federal government, a family lawyer said Friday.

Bob Hilliard told the The Associated Press that the agent is Jesus Mesa Jr., whose last name has also been spelled Meza.

"This allows us to identify the shooter, we hope we can get his history," Hilliard said in a phone interview.

The Corpus Christi, Texas-based lawyer says he is trying to establish such facts as whether the agent had been previously reprimanded for using his weapon or if he had a history of violent outbursts.

An attorney for the agent, Randolph Ortega, has denied wrongdoing. Ortega did not immediately return a message Friday to The Associated Press. The U.S. Border Patrol has not replied several emails requesting information on the agent who allegedly shot the boy.

Sergio Adrian Hernandez Guereca of Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, was killed in June 2010. U.S. investigators have said the agent was trying to arrest illegal immigrants who crossed into the U.S. when he came under attack from rock throwers.

Hilliard says the teen was unarmed and did not threaten Mesa.

Local media have reported that the family is demanding $25 million in compensation. Hilliard said they put a $10 million dollar request when they initially filed the suit but could ask the jury for more.

Hilliard also said that in an eye witness video, additional Border Patrol agents are seen arriving at the scene of the shooting. They left along with Mesa, without checking if the boy needed medical assistance.

"No matter what, if you think you have a right to shoot him, you should go and see if they need first aid," Hilliard said.

The amended wrongful death lawsuit, filed Wednesday in El Paso, updates documents from January.

Federal arrest records obtained by The Associated Press shortly after the June 7, 2010, shooting showed the boy had been arrested at least four times since 2008 and twice in the same week in February 2009 on suspicion of smuggling illegal immigrants across the U.S.-Mexico border. However, he was never charged with a crime.

www.sacbee.com

I am guessing the parents are counting on several hispanics to be on the jury and are going for the sympathy vote.

After all like Caulderon says "Where there is a Mexican there is Mexico" and the fleecing of the USA will continue....

Originally Posted by Pisces_2010

It appears to me, we Americans are just sitting back and allowing our Country to be ruled by foreigners from all other nations, but the most trying to control the U.S. are Mexico citizens. Those people have arrived here illegally but, they want to change our laws and tell us citizens what they will and will not do, I think they want to turn this Country into another Mexico, which is their greatest intention.

Quite right many are ignoring the issue. However one has to also realize in todays economy, job market, political sphere, and so forth there are many many different things to consider.

1. First off not just anyone can run for political office and have a decent shot of success. First one has to either bow to the GOP or the Dems until the Tea Party got going. Now even with the TP one often still has to get approval from one of the 2 major parties and w/o their help you have a hard time getting any campaign money. To be an independent one pretty much needs massive cash or a major player as their backer. This means WE don't pick our candidates and we really have little say in who's going to the big leagues. We are given a false choice made by the powers that control it all to make us believe we have control.

2. Most people are fighting hard just to survive day to day with major price increases all around, many w/o unemployment, and companies just looking for a reason to lay off an older employer to get a fresh face who'll shut up and do what they are told for half the pay.

The constant thing I hear from friends who I try and talk to is they are so busy trying to make ends meet, taking care of kids, keeping food on the table and so forth along with trying to have some little personal time once in a blue moon they really have a hard time spending time dealing with political issues other then a vote for someone who's in their mind the lessor of 2 evils.

I personally think this whole deal has been orcastrated for the last few decades to create an atmosphere where people are to busy trying to take care of todays local personal issues so the masses aren't paying attention to major power changes over a longterm timetable. This was all an elaborate setup to create the horrific economy situation keep people to busy trying to eat today and next week.