Video at the source link.
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Attacks on Border Patrol Agents Increasing

We Looked at How Dangerous Rock Attacks Can Be


By Monique Griego - Morning Anchor
Monday, February 21, 2011 - 10:24am


EL PASO - It sounds like a high powered weapon, but the loud bangs border patrol agents sometimes hear outside their vehicles, are actually rocks being thrown at them.

Agent Scott Hayes from the El Paso Border Patrol sector says suspects will lob big chunks of rock or even bricks.

We saw video and pictures of the damage rocks can cause, to vehicles, windows and agents.

The number of attacks on agents is up in El Paso. The number jumped to 63 in 2010. More than half were rock assaults.

Most people who live along the border in Juarez are just trying to go about their everyday lives.

Hayes say it;s criminals who feel like agents are closing off their drug routes or keeping them from smuggling, that become violent.

The urban area in Juarez near UTEP is known for attacks.

An El Paso agent recently got hit with a rock, only 2 to 3 inches long.

He had to get dozens of staples in his head.

Despite injuries like that the issue of whether rocks are deadly weapons has been a topic of debate.

Critics have spoken out against agents who use firearms in response to rock assaults.

The believe there are less lethal ways to handle things.

Hayes says for agents the decision to use deadly force comes down to making sure agents and others around are safe.

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