Thread: Mexican teen dies in fall after rock-throwing incident

Teenager dies during border incidentBy the CNN Wire Staff
January 6, 2011 -- Updated 1305 GMT (2105 HKT)

Mexican authorities say the teenager was trying to scale the border fence when the agent shot him.

(CNN) -- Federal authorities are investigating the events surrounding the death of a teenager during an altercation between Border Patrol agents trying to arrest alleged drug smugglers and rock-throwing bystanders, an FBI spokesman said Wednesday.

Agent Manuel Johnson said the incident took place near the U.S.-Mexico border in the Nogales, Arizona, area.

"We're treating this as an AFO investigation, which is an assault on a federal officer," Johnson said. "The investigation is ongoing."

Johnson said the incident occurred early Wednesday morning as agents were trying to make the arrests. Bystanders began throwing rocks at the agents, he said, and one of the agents responded by firing a shot at an alleged rock thrower.

Mexican authorities have told reporters that the teenager was trying to scale the border fence when the agent shot and killed him.

"In terms of the cause of death, my understanding is they're going to be conducting an autopsy," Johnson said. "I can't confirm that he died by a shot or a fall, whatever it might be."

"Our investigation will continue and look at the aspect that the Mexicans are alleging."

Johnson added that border liaison agents were working with Mexican authorities and that the U.S. Attorney's Office would make a decision about any charges to be filed after the investigation is concluded.
http://edition.cnn.com/2011/US/01/05/ar ... index.html

Justifiable self defense period. A rock is a deadly weapon and the agents have the authority to respond.
Remember the similar incident last year in El Paso? What happened to that?
I have read and heard zero about that incident even though at the time Mexican officials and citizens were hurling all kinds of accusations at the Border Patrol. That to me means that in the end...it was justified.

Throw a rock at a law enforcment officer and expect to be shot at. It's that simple.

Border Patrol Says Violence Is Growing In El Paso Area
Dec 19, 2010

U.S. Border Patrol officials say assaults against local agents are increasing dramatically. Halfway into this fiscal year, there have already been 36 assaults in our area, compared to 42 assaults in the entire previous fiscal year. Border Patrol agents say rocks are becoming a common weapon.

As KFOX reported on Thursday an agent was attacked by rock throwers by the Ysleta Port of Entry. "As they got closer to the river, they continued to assault him by throwing rocks at him which actually struck the agent. The agent drew his weapon and fired one shot at one of the people who were assaulting him," said Chief Deputy Robert Boatwright from the U.S. Border Patrol.

No one was injured in Thursday's incident, but, Border Patrol agents took us out to one area along the Mexican border in West El Paso where a previous rock throwing incident did cause serious injury. "One of our agents was assaulted by a rock in this location. He was taken to the hospital and received over 25 stitches or staples to his head," Boatwright said.

Agents believe the attacks are mostly because those trying to cross are frustrated or are trying to divert agents. Many of those trying to cross hide within the brush around the Rio Grande. "Often times what we see when an agent may be pursuing a group of individuals back toward the river, there is other people along the river on either side laying in wait, if you would, and on occasion our agents have been ambushed by these types of rock-throwing groups," Boatwright said.

http://www.kfoxtv.com/news/7665947/detail.html

How smart do you have to be to throw rocks at anyone who has a loaded gun. Much less someone who trains to hit the target.

Border Patrol agents say rocks are becoming a common weapon.

New Salute from DHS to all BP Agents: In keeping with the strategy of using nonlethal loads when confronted with live ammo each BP Agent will now be required to carry marshmallows to throw at any individuals throwing rocks.

I think I might modify the marshmallow idea to flaming marshmallows shot from a paint ball gun.

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No charges against Border Patrol agent in teen's death