Border Patrol agents shoot and kill illegal immigrant robber

Border Patrol agents shoot and kill illegal immigrant robbery suspect
March 4, 2006, 09:32 AM EST Email to a Friend Printer Friendly Version



U.S. Border Patrol agents searching an area along the Colorado River after receiving reports of illegal immigrants being robbed fatally shot an armed suspect who shot at them, Yuma County Sheriff's officials said Friday.


Officials said the agents were patrolling right along the river, in an area thick and dense with salt cedars and undergrowth, when the man began shooting at about 11 p.m. Thursday.

Agents returned fire, striking the man, who died at the scene.

His name was not released pending his family being notified.

A second man, identified as Diego Armando Mendieta de La Torre, 20, of Mexicali, was arrested and turned over to the sheriff's office, Maj. Leon Wilmot said.

Wilmot said Mendieta was booked into the Yuma County Jail on state charges of participation in a criminal syndicate. More charges could be filed, he said.

Authorities said Mendieta was believed to have been involved in a series of armed holdups of illegal immigrants in the area along with the dead man.

The Mexican consulate is assisting the Border Patrol and sheriff's office in the incident and is working with the agencies to identify any additional suspects in the robberies, Wilmot said.

The agents involved in the shooting were not identified, Border Patrol spokesman Chris Van Wagenen said. Traditionally, agents involved in a shooting incident are placed on paid administrative leave while an investigation is ongoing, he said.


http://kvoa.com/Global/story.asp?S=4584530&nav=HMO6HMaY

Its about time they learn they can not use the US Boarder Patrol for target practice. :D

It's past time Border Patrol agents started defending themselves.

It's sorta scary to think that we depend on the BP to defend us and our neighbors...but they are usually not allowed to defend themselves!! Along our border anything from the southern side seems excusable..'these poor people just want to work' crap...so don't shoot back at them while they rock you, rock your vehicle, shoot at you....and the beat goes on.

I'm thinking that a few hundred thousand Americans oughta go down there and defend our BP. Our congress has said to hell with what you
think Americans...wonder what they'd say about what we'd DO??

RR

I am sure the Mexican consulate is happy to help the Border Patrol on this one. Now these "robbers" won't be hindering and robbing "their people".

I am glad that none of our Border Patrol agents were hurt or killed in this incident - another example of cleaning up Mexico's mess. If Mexico would stop sending their people to our country and creating this cesspool of crime this wouldn't have happened and our Border enforcement people wouldn't be at risk.