Two detained following McAllen shooting

June 08, 2011 10:05 AM
Naxiely Lopez The Monitor
Naxil@themonitor.com

McALLEN — Police detained two men accused of pointing a gun at U.S. Border Patrol agents just moments before opening fire at an intersection where police officers here were responding to a traffic stop Monday morning.

The incident began about 2 a.m. near the intersection of 23rd Street and Expressway 83 in McAllen when the occupants of a black 1996 GMC Yukon pointed a gun at Border Patrol agents in the area, Police Chief Victor Rodriguez said.

McAllen police officers were at a traffic stop a few blocks north of the intersection near Mobile and 23rd streets when the vehicle drove up to a street light, slowed down and fired multiple shots, Rodriguez said.

Officers were forced to take cover, but no injuries were reported, he added.

Police followed the vehicle, which turned into an area neighborhood, and arrested the two occupants — Enrique Yanez, 24, and Luis Julian Valladares, 24. Both are believed to be U.S. citizens, Rodriguez said.

Investigators recovered a weapon near an alley in the neighborhood and multiple casings from the scene of the shooting, police said.

McAllen officers are now working with U.S. Border Patrol officials to determine what type of charges the suspects will likely face, Rodriguez said.

Naxiely Lopez covers law enforcement and general assignments for The Monitor. She can be reached at (956) 683-4434.

Check back later to the monitor.com for updates.

McALLEN — Police detained two men accused of pointing a gun at U.S. Border Patrol agents just moments before opening fire at an intersection where police officers here were responding to a traffic stop Monday morning.

The incident began about 2 a.m. near the intersection of 23rd Street and Expressway 83 in McAllen when the occupants of a black 1996 GMC Yukon pointed a gun at Border Patrol agents in the area, Police Chief Victor Rodriguez said.

McAllen police officers were at a traffic stop a few blocks north of the intersection near Mobile and 23rd streets when the vehicle drove up to a street light, slowed down and fired multiple shots, Rodriguez said.

Officers were forced to take cover, but no injuries were reported, he added.

Police followed the vehicle, which turned into an area neighborhood, and arrested the two occupants — Enrique Yanez, 24, and Luis Julian Valladares, 24. Both are believed to be U.S. citizens, Rodriguez said.

Investigators recovered a weapon near an alley in the neighborhood and multiple casings from the scene of the shooting, police said.

McAllen officers are now working with U.S. Border Patrol officials to determine what type of charges the suspects will likely face, Rodriguez said.

Naxiely Lopez covers law enforcement and general assignments for The Monitor. She can be reached at (956) 683-4434.

Check back later to the monitor.com for updates.

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