FBI investigating Border Patrol shooting

May 23, 2009


A suspected illegal immigrant was flown to a Tucson hospital Saturday morning after being shot by a Border Patrol agent.

The shooting happened around 4:00 a.m. about three miles from the border, in Potrero Canyon, just west of Nogales, Arizona.

It's believed the suspect -- 23-year-old Jaime Martinez -- was a coyote, leading other illegal immigrants across the border.

While the group fled from authorities, Santa Cruz County Sheriff Tony Estrada says Martinez threw a rock at an agent.

When he picked up another rock, an agent fired at him.

Estrada says Martinez was hit three times -- in the right elbow, the left thigh and left knee.

He was listed in stable condition.

Estrada says the FBI, the Border Patrol and the sheriff's office are investigating the shooting and the assault on the agent.

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