Thread: AZ: Douglas, Rio Rico residents react to agent's murder

Douglas residents react to agent's murder
Posted: Dec 15, 2010 11:01 PM CST Updated: Dec 16, 2010 10:40 AM CST

Video: Douglas residents react to agent's murder 2:17

Reporter: Steve Nunez
Web Producers: Brian Pryor, Layla Tang

DOUGLAS, Ariz. (KGUN9-TV) The shooting death of a US Border Patrol agent has stirred up some bad memories and uneasy feelings for many Douglas residents. People in Cochise County have been on alert since someone murdered rancher Rob Krentz last March. His death triggered calls for action and for feds to call up the National Guard.

The news of U.S. Border Patrol agent Brian Terry's death hit too close to home for Lynn Kartchner, who lives about 90 miles away from the murder scene in the city of Douglas.

"I'm saddened by the news that any loyal American is killed," said Kartchner, a retired Army Veteran and civil servant.

Just nine months ago the Cochise County Sheriff's Office investigated the murder of Robert Krentz, was believed to have been shot and killed by a drug smuggler. Kartchner remembers the March day all too well.

"When my friend Rob Krentz was murdered March 27th, to be exact, I was outraged," Kartchner recalled. Today that same outrage and an old wound resurfaced for the Army veteran.

"They (smugglers) have no respect for anybody or for any law, and the last thing you can do is to try to help them. That's what happened to Rob," Kartchner said.

In memory of Krentz, Kartchner and other ranchers conduct their own armed-citizen patrols - using a powerful telescope and infra-red light.

"It can read a newspaper in total darkness 30 miles away," Kartchner boasted about the imaging power of the scope.

"The Border Patrol goes out with me, this is my contribution" added Kartchner. He does not blame the agents for the problems, in fact he adds that they have stepped up patrols since the murder of Robert Krentz. He blames the federal government's policies. As extreme as it sounds, Kartchner says the only way to stop more killings is to place agents directly at the U.S.-Mexico border and loosen the rules of engagement to allow agents to shoot first.

"It would create a deterrent attitude on the other side of the border," Kartchner said.

Until things change, Kartchner believes more agents like Terry and more ranchers like Krentz will be killed again.

http://www.kgun9.com/global/story.asp?s=13682117

Rio Rico community reacts to border agent's death
Posted: Dec 15, 2010 9:09 PM CST Updated: Dec 15, 2010 9:11 PM CST
Video Gallery

Video: Rio Rico community reacts to border agent's death 2:30

Reporter: Jessica Chapin

RIO RICO, ARIZ. (KGUN9- TV) - For residents in Rio Rico, Border Patrol agents are part of their daily lives, and part of their communities. They see trucks pass by on their neighborhood roads, patrolling for illegal activity. Many residents say lately, that activity has been on the rise.

Michele Garcia has lived off Ruby Rd. for the past 4 years.

"I have two small kids and they like to play out in the yard here and we live right on Ruby Road so it's definitely concerning as a parent," she said. News of agent Brian Terry's death is shocking.

"For somebody to have to die because the didn't have the resources to catch those people at the border or to stop them from crossing, it's really very unfortunate," said Garcia.

Up the road, Jorge Fernando moved from the border 6 years ago. He says he notices crime creeping closer.

"We used to go across the line two or three times a week. Now, we just don't go," he said, "But, if it's going to get that bad here, that's a worry."

While neither Garcia nor Fernando have ever witnessed illegal smugglers or crossers on their property, they fear it's only a matter of time. After Terry's death, that fear is becoming more real.

"It's really shocking because we don't see shootings. We hear about shootings across the line very often, but here. That's shocking," said Fernando, "It could just be a war and we don't want to that here. It's peaceful. We want to keep it that way."


http://www.kgun9.com/global/story.asp?s=13681655

Related Postings:

Posted Yesterday, 12-15:
Border Patrol Agent Killed in Southern Arizona
http://www.alipac.us/ftopict-221535.html

Border Patrol agent shot, killed near Rio Rico
http://www.alipac.us/ftopict-221531.html


Posted Today, 12-16:
Border agent killed: bandits to blame?
http://www.alipac.us/ftopict-221679.html

Manhunt continues in Border Patrol agent's slaying
http://www.alipac.us/ftopict-221676.html

AZ: Douglas, Rio Rico residents react to agent's murder
http://www.alipac.us/ftopict-221678.html

Slain Agent known as Cop's Cop
http://www.alipac.us/ftopict-221675.html

Murdered Border agent's blood on the hands of politicians, b
http://www.alipac.us/ftopict-221780.html

Posted 12-17:
Border Agent Brian Terry murder investigation continues
http://www.alipac.us/ftopict-221788.html

Sheriffs: Agents death shows need for more Federal help
http://www.alipac.us/ftopict-221787.html