On Thursday January 16, 2014 at approximately 9:00 pm, the Cochise County Sheriff’s Office was advised of a shooting incident which had just occurred involving a US Border Patrol Agent. The information received indicated that the incident occurred approximately ½ mile east of mile post 388.6 on Highway 80 near Apache.
Sheriff’s Deputies and investigators responded to the scene and located a Hispanic male subject possibly late twenties, 5’10, 180 pounds, wearing two pairs of jeans, a black hooded sweatshirt, black gloves, a black ski mask, and white tennis shoes. US Border Patrol Agents on the scene advised that they were tracking a group of illegal immigrants on foot and took two subjects into custody without incident. A third subject fled the area and was located hiding under a mesquite bush where he was located by a Border Patrol Agent.
Once the Agent approached the subject he reportedly struggled with the Agent for several minutes and attempted to get the Agents weapon before the Agent, fearing for his personal safety and potential serious injury, pulled his handgun and fired at the suspect. The suspect was struck in the upper body area and succumbed to his injuries.
The body of the suspect was transported to the Pima County Medical Examiners’ Office for the completion of an autopsy and possible identification. The Mexican Consulate was notified of this incident and will be assisting as needed in this investigation which is being continued by the Cochise County Sheriff’s Office.