Federal investigators shot in front of Juarez hospital

By Adriana Gómez Licón / El Paso Times
Posted: 01/11/2011 05:44:39 PM MST

JUAREZ - Men with high-powered weapons shot and critically wounded two federal investigators in front of a hospital this afternoon, federal police said.
The two men work for the Federal Agency of Investigation, known as AFI. Officials have not identified the agents.

Witnesses said the two men were on duty, wearing suits and driving an agency pickup truck about 1 p.m. when gunmen in another vehicle opened fire on them. They heard more than 20 shots from high-caliber weapons. Some witnesses said they saw packages in the open back of the white truck the agents were driving.

The agents drove themselves to the emergency entrance of the hospital, where they are listed in critical condition.

Dozens of police officers - local, state

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and federal- responded to the shooting, closing off at least a dozen blocks around the area of the public hospital IMSS.
The Federal Agency of Investigation, created in 2001 by Former President Vicente Fox, investigates organized crime and executes search and arrest warrants that are drug-related.

AFI agents report to the Mexican Attorney General. They are not Mexican federal police, who work under the Secretariat of Public Safety. Adriana Gómez Licón may be reached at agomez@elpasotimes.com; 546-6129.

http://www.elpasotimes.com/newupdated/ci_17068261