Border Patrol Agent Killed Near Mexican Border
Robert Rosas, an agent for the U.S. Border Patrol, was fatally shot last night while monitoring the area near Campo, California with a group of other agents. The agents reportedly encountered a group of men near one of the areas of spotty border fence coverage on Shockey Truck Trail. The agents pursued the men when they ran in different directions. After gunshots were heard, the others found Agent Rosas, who was shot in the head several times. He was pronounced dead on the scene.
Investigators now believe that one of the people involved in the shooting was also injured. They say they are unsure of how the injury was caused, but they're pretty sure blood was drawn. The FBI has set up a $100,000 reward for any information leading to the arrest and conviction of those involved in the shooting.
Rosas had been working for the Border Patrol for three years and leaves behind two small children.
The group of men encountered are presumed to be smugglers but it is not known if they were smuggling humans or drugs. Officials also do not know if they returned to Mexico or continued on in the United States. Investigators said there were signs of a struggle at the site of the killing.
Commenting on Agent Rosas' killing, DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano said, "My thoughts and condolences are with Agent Rosas’ family and his fellow agents at this difficult time. I want to commend those in the law enforcement and first responder community in Southern California for so quickly responding to the scene and attempting to save Agent Rosas’ life. His death is a vivid reminder that we are engaged in a serious effort to secure our border and that thousands of Border Patrol agents and other DHS employees risk their lives every single day to protect and defend our nation."
Rep. Brian Bilbray (R-Calif.) warned that Rosas’ killing was a wake-up call and another example of how the violence related to illegal aliens and drugs crossed over the border along with the smugglers.