Border Patrol investigating dozen shots fired at agents in Texas
Border Patrol investigating dozen shots fired at agents in Texas
Published September 03, 2012
Associated Press
HIDALGO, Texas – The U.S. Border Patrol is reporting that shots were fired at some agents patrolling the Rio Grande near the border town of Hidalgo.
Border Patrol spokesman Henry Mendiola says eight to 12 shots were fired Sunday night at agents east of Hidalgo, just south of McAllen.
Mendiola tells KGBT-TV that two Border Patrol boats were in the river and two agents were on the banks when the incident occurred.
No one was injured.
Mendiola says more information is expected to be released Monday.
Border Patrol investigating dozen shots fired at agents in Texas | Fox News
UPDATE: Border Patrol agents did not return fire
September 03, 2012 1:55 PM
Gail Burkhardt
The Monitor
HIDALGO – Law enforcement officials saw five to seven people leave in a vehicle on the Mexican side of the Rio Grande after Border Patrol agents were fired upon Sunday night.
Eight to 12 rounds were fired at Border Patrol agents who were patrolling the river on two boats and agents on the bank after 9 p.m. Sunday down river from the Hidalgo-Reynosa International Bridge, said Border Patrol spokesman Enrique Mendiola. Agents immediately took cover and they were not hurt. The agents did not return fire.
“They immediately took cover because obviously they were somewhat vulnerable there,” Mendiola said. “They were not able to spot their assailants.”
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials in a helicopter saw five to seven people leave the area in a vehicle on the Mexican side, Mendiola said.
The Texas Department of Public Safety also provided backup on the ground. Originally it was reported that the Department of Public Safety had provided assistance in a helicopter, but that was actually Customs and Border Protection, Mendiola said.
Agents arrested two illegal immigrants who had crossed nearby, but determined that they were not involved in the shooting, he said.
This is not the first time Border Patrol agents have been shot at, Mendiola said, explaining that the agents are trained to be aware of their surroundings.
"Obviously our agents are well-trained,” he said. "They’re well-equipped; they’re prepared; they remain vigilant. They took the appropriate action when they heard the gunfire coming at them.”
Border Patrol agents did not return fire | hidalgo, patrol, return - UPDATE - TheMonitor.com
