A U.S. Border Patrol agent was fatally shot while on patrol near Nogales Tuesday night.
Authorities investigating the shooting aren't saying much about it at this point, only that the agent, 40-year-old Brian Terry, was killed about 11 p.m. yesterday near Peck Canyon while on patrol about 10 miles north of the U.S. Mexico border.
Four suspects are in custody and authorities are looking for one more.
The Associated Press
is reporting that Terry, as well as three other agents, were tracking
"bandits," who target illegal immigrants for things like rape and
robbery, at the time of the shooting. That information, the AP says,
comes from the union that represents border patrol agents.
However, neither the FBI nor U.S. Customs and Border Patrol officials will confirm that's what went down.
Terry was part of the Border Patrol's Search, Trauma, and Rescue team,
an elite unit of the agency that requires agents to undergo special
training and have at least two years experience.
Terry's been with the Border Patrol for about three years. Prior to that he served in the military. He died early Wednesday.
A statement released by the Border Patrol's union, Local 12544, says,
"this is one more example of the sacrifices made by front-line agents,
and it's a major reason we are continually outraged by activists and
self-serving politicians in Washington, DC who sell us out with
incessant talk about "amnesty" for illegal aliens. While they play
games, our country continues to be invaded and Border Patrol agents
continue to pay the price."
Senator John "build the dang fence" McCain chimes in:
"This event is yet another reminder of the dangers the men and women of
the Border Patrol face every day as they put their lives on the line to
protect the American people. The increased violence in the border
region demands that Congress provide the necessary resources and
personnel to ensure the safety of all Americans, especially border
patrol agents stationed on the border, and fulfill the Federal
government's responsibility to secure our border."
Check back to Valley Fever throughout the day for updates.
