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Border Patrol agents shoot and kill illegal immigrant robbery suspect
http://kvoa.com/global/story.asp?s=4584530&ClientType=Print
U.S. Border Patrol agents searching an area along the Colorado River after receiving reports of illegal immigrants being robbed fatally shot an armed suspect who shot at them, Yuma County Sheriff's officials said Friday.
Officials said the agents were patrolling right along the river, in an area thick and dense with salt cedars and undergrowth, when the man began shooting at about 11 p.m. Thursday.
Agents returned fire, striking the man, who died at the scene.
His name was not released pending his family being notified.
A second man, identified as Diego Armando Mendieta de La Torre, 20, of Mexicali, was arrested and turned over to the sheriff's office, Maj. Leon Wilmot said.
Wilmot said Mendieta was booked into the Yuma County Jail on state charges of participation in a criminal syndicate. More charges could be filed, he said.
Authorities said Mendieta was believed to have been involved in a series of armed holdups of illegal immigrants in the area along with the dead man.
The Mexican consulate is assisting the Border Patrol and sheriff's office in the incident and is working with the agencies to identify any additional suspects in the robberies, Wilmot said.
The agents involved in the shooting were not identified, Border Patrol spokesman Chris Van Wagenen said. Traditionally, agents involved in a shooting incident are placed on paid administrative leave while an investigation is ongoing, he said.
http://kvoa.com/global/story.asp?s=4584530&ClientType=Print
U.S. Border Patrol agents searching an area along the Colorado River after receiving reports of illegal immigrants being robbed fatally shot an armed suspect who shot at them, Yuma County Sheriff's officials said Friday.
Officials said the agents were patrolling right along the river, in an area thick and dense with salt cedars and undergrowth, when the man began shooting at about 11 p.m. Thursday.
Agents returned fire, striking the man, who died at the scene.
His name was not released pending his family being notified.
A second man, identified as Diego Armando Mendieta de La Torre, 20, of Mexicali, was arrested and turned over to the sheriff's office, Maj. Leon Wilmot said.
Wilmot said Mendieta was booked into the Yuma County Jail on state charges of participation in a criminal syndicate. More charges could be filed, he said.
Authorities said Mendieta was believed to have been involved in a series of armed holdups of illegal immigrants in the area along with the dead man.
The Mexican consulate is assisting the Border Patrol and sheriff's office in the incident and is working with the agencies to identify any additional suspects in the robberies, Wilmot said.
The agents involved in the shooting were not identified, Border Patrol spokesman Chris Van Wagenen said. Traditionally, agents involved in a shooting incident are placed on paid administrative leave while an investigation is ongoing, he said.